HexBugs ... Review & Giveaway {CLOSED}

Congrats to the winners!!

Random.org chose #6 and #14 and those commentors are:

ClippingMoney 

and

Angela 

are the winners of a HexBug and battery pack

Check your emails for details on how to get your prizes...

you have 48 hours to get back to me!!

Three words:
Boy. Box. Bugs.

When a boy (like ours) lives in a house with four sisters (like his) ... the promise of icky, creepy, Halloween-themed bugs brings much joy.  So when the HexBug box arrived, he was more than happy to take the knife and carve open the lid that contained greatness.

I invited over a bunch of people, put together the Nano Elevation Track, set loose said creepers ... and stood back to enjoy the fun.

even GRANDMA got in on the fun!!

Out of all the things we have had in this house, this was one of the most fun and memorable ... based on the reactions and the amount of people crowding around to cheer on their favorite HexBug as the races were set and wages were thrown.  Hilarious!!

What does the company say about these critters??

It might be back-to-school season now, but smart moms know that Halloween is hot on its heels! Every Halloween party brings an endless array of sweets for the kids and priceless photo opportunities for moms. This year, we have an extra special addition to your spooky soiree- Limited Edition HEXBUG Nano Halloween Zombie and Glows in the Dark Nano bugs and Habitat Sets from HEXBUG Micro Robotic Creatures!

The undisputed micro-robotic favorite is back in action, with two new versions that just "scream" Halloween! The Limited Edition HEXBUG Nano Halloween Zombie bugs come complete with their very own coffin, and the Glows in the Dark HEXBUG Nano roaming Glows in the Dark Habitat Sets are perfect for dark and scary evenings.

My Review:
I would again like to thank the makers of HexBugs for their generosity in providing an amazing variety of bugs, tracks and batteries for this review and giveaway.  We were thrilled to host a party for this product and got very enthused reactions to the in-home winners of tracks and bugs for their own home. 

The Positives:
(Simply re-wording my son's impressions, as he finds the creepy a little more cool than I do!!)   The fact that these toys are made to simulate actual bugs is amazing...the majority of the ones provided to use resembled roaches in their size and movements.  The facts that they glow in the dark, scamper in uncontrolable patterns and seem to run forever just make them all the more fun to have around.  The provided tracks for the bugs to run on give lots of room for each bug to walk its own path and allow for fun races.  Adding in that they glow in the dark (like some of the bugs), they are most impressive and much loved!!

Areas of Concern?
(This is mom again...)  The elevation tracks are a little confusing to put together and the provided instructions don't contain many actual words, leaving the user to try to figure out the small pictures of the many pieces included.  I get that the tracks are made to be set up as you want them to be, but some direction is helpful for those of us who have no creativity as far as bug tracks. (haha) 

Overall?
As much as I get a little creeped out by the HexBugs, my kids and their friends loved them.  They are fast, buggish and interesting to watch.  The tracks are worth the time of putting together, as the bugs move over every inch of them unaided.  The glow-in-the-dark element was actually a lot of fun to watch as we shut off the lights and let the bugs go...and our entire family was entertained.  Based on the reactions from my son, my daughters (both girlie-girl and tomboy) and all the friends that came to play (adult men included)...these are totally worth the cost and fun.

Want a couple of HexBugs of your very own?  Well, there are couple up for grabs:

To enter to win one of the items pictured above, visit the HexBug website and leave a comment telling me something you discovered while looking around. (mandatory entry...be sure to leave an email or twitter ID in your comment! No contact info, no entry)

Extra Entries (leave a seperate comment for each):

• Follow my blog fan page on Facebook (click here)
• Visit my main blog and leave a comment on one of the posts.
• Follow me on Twitter (@binaspad)
• FB or tweet about this giveaway (linking either my fan page or twitter ID)

Giveaway starts 10/29/11 and is open until midnight PST 11/03/11.

First name chosen will win the orange HexBug and extra battery pack.
Second name chosen will win the black HexBug and extra battery pack.
Winners will be chosen by random.org and be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond or new winners will be chosen.

Still Playing...
Bina

Xia-Xia ... Toys, A Party...and A Giveaway {CLOSED}

Congrats to the winners!!

Random.org chose #3 and #11 and those commentors are:

Tabathia is the winner of the Crab and Shell set

and

ClippingMoney is the winner of the Crab.

Check your emails for details on how to get your prizes...

you have 48 hours to get back to me!!

When I was given a chance to preview a new toy on the market, called Xia-Xia Pet Crabs, I knew that our youngest would freak out if I didn't go for it.  She is a huge fan of the "zhu zhu pets"..and since these were put out by the same people, she was the first one to break open the box when it showed up on our doorstep. Once open, she could hardly wait for me to snap a pic before she started playing with the new colorful crabs, their shells and the "houses" for them to live in.

While she didn't take much time to notice the packaging, I thought that the colorful, girlie boxes were adorable...she just wanted to hold a Xia-Xia crab...now.

We decided to spread the wealth of color and fun with a few of our friends...to see it all in action and to get some feedback on the new friends, now running all over our house.

What are these colorful crustaceans??  Here's what the company calls them:

The latest toy craze from Cepia, LLC (the master mind behind ZhuZhu Pets® and DaGeDar™) has arrived and we want you and your kids to be among the first to experience it!

Moms, meet Xia-Xia™. From a far away land where the Carnivale runs all day, Xia-Xia are crazy crustaceans, who love to dance and play. Costumed in wild and wacky shell fashions, Xia-Xia love to change their shells for their festivities. Press their claw and the parade begins; Xia-Xia have a wacky Xia-Xia shuffle that is tons of fun to watch.

These new colorful, collectible creatures combine the loveable charm of a real hermit crab but add a twist of imagination. Each Xia-Xia comes with a candy colored shell in which kids can fi­nd a little friend hidden inside. Additional shells can be purchased so children can style their Xia-Xia in their favorite fashions. For an added bonus, each additional shell contains two little friends. Xia-Xia have colorful playsets, bringing alive a world of color, magic, and imagination for kids to enjoy!

My Review:

First of all, I have to say that this company was more than generous, providing more than enough for a party full of happy little girls!!!  I was blown away by all they gave us...and very grateful to have this chance to play  :)

The positives?
Much like their cousins, "zhu zhu pets", these lively little creatures run around in all directions, which I found brings laughter and interested girls as they try to keep up with the zooming colors.  The habitats provided are easy to put together, just as vibrant as their tenents and big enough for little hands to reach into. On that end, my daughter and the other little girls loved the crabs, shells and habitats.

A couple of areas of concern? 
A couple of times, the legs of the crabs popped off a bit too easy for the intended age set (4-11 year olds) for just casual play...and since you have to push down on them to get the little guys to move, that causes an issue.  I also noticed that they all needed help in switching out the shells on the backs of the crabs.  They were all slightly different in shape, so when they wanted to put a new one on...it was a little confusing for them to figure out which direction to have the crabs and the shells.

Overall?
I think they are best suited for the younger fans of these type of toys, as they are more colorful and cartoon-ish.  BUT I think that they are adorable and I loved to watch each girl as they were first handed a crab...seeing them explore the toy, make it "go" and watch it run all over the place.  The girls who came to our party were VERY happy to take home the Xia-Xia Crabs and the giveaway of one of the habitats was greatly appreciated!!

Giveaway:

Want to win a crab and shell (or a crab) for the little one in your life??  Well you can...one of these:

To enter to win one of the items pictured above, visit the Xia-Xia website and leave a comment telling me something you discovered while looking around. (mandatory entry...be sure to leave an email or twitter ID in your comment!  No contact info, no entry)

Extra Entries (leave a seperate comment for each):

• Follow my blog fan page on Facebook (click here)
• Visit my main blog and leave a comment on one of the posts.
• Follow me on Twitter  (@binaspad)
• FB or tweet about this giveaway (linking either my fan page or twitter ID)

Giveaway starts 10/27/11 and is open until 11/01/11. 

First name chosen will win the orange crab/shell set.
Second name chosen will win the blue crab. 
Winners will be chosen by random.org and be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond or new winners will be chosen.

**Cepia, LLC provided me these toys for review purposes & is allowing me to keep all items once finished with my review. I get no other compensation from the company...all opinions expressed are strictly my own. **

Still Playing...
Bina

The Baker's Wife & KitchenAid Giveaway

My Review:
I would not be lying when I say that this is one of the best fiction books I have read all year...and that is saying a lot as I have gone thru a LOT of books this year.

I first "met" Erin Healy when she co-authored a book with Ted Dekker a few years ago (proof that author obession has its rewards), but I had no idea that when I started her newest title that I would be caught in her well-written web, forcing me to devour it in just one day!!

Part of it was that Erin does a great job of writing believable characters caught in the most unbelievable circumstances, weaving together a picture of faith and intrigue.  She gives just enough information about each person involved in this story to wake up a reader's curiosity...which serves her purpose of keeping me reading (until the wee hours of the morning) to finally unravel all the mystery and feel peace for those involved.  (Yes, I know they are "not real people"...but when you read like I do, well, you kinda forget that part...haha) 

But another part of it was that I was so taken with the abilities of the baker's wife.  She carries such a divine sense that courses thru her and she lives her "calling" thru touch...thru a connection that comes as her heart, mind and body are overcome with the pain of another.  And as she ministers as she was called by God to, a part of my heart broke with hers as she carried the burden of truly feeling for another.  Truly...captured my attention and my desire to know more the God that gives such gifts to people.
I have already recommended it to a large number of my IRL friends...and now I say it to you too: Read it.  Now.  You won't be sorry.

Information About The Book & Giveaway:
Let the flour fly! Beginning October 24th, Erin's celebrating the release of her latest page turner, The Baker's Wife, with an outstanding KitchenAid baking prize package giveaway that includes a brand new KitchenAid Mixer, cook books, and all you need to whip up some fabulous bread or sweets! Then and on November 10th she'll be wrapping up the release of The Baker's Wife with an Author Book Chat Party on Facebook! Don't miss a minute of the fun!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• Empire Red 4.5 QT Ultra Power KitchenAid Stand Mixer
• Black & White Kitschy Apron
• Black Silicone Oven Mitt
• Black OXO Rolling Pin
• Wilton 9X5 loaf pan
• At My Grandmother's Knee Cookbook by Faye Porter
• Second Helpings with Johnnie Gabriel Cookbook
• The Baker's Wife by Erin Healy

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 9th. Winner will be announced at The Baker's Wife Author Book Chat Facebok Party. Erin will be wrapping up the The Baker's Wife celebration with a book club chat and giving away a bunch of "sweet treats"! So grab your copy of The Baker's Wife (it's okay if you don't have one yet- you might win one!) and join Erin on the evening of November 10th for a book chat, some "baking" trivia and lots of "sweet" giveaways (books, and Amazon, iTunes & Starbucks gift certificates)!

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends. Hope to see you on the 10th!

Still Reading...

Bina

Love On The Line & iPad2

Review:

I am quite open about my favorite genres...and this usually isn't it.  But I feel it is important to step outside my comfort zones from time to time...and I took that leap with "Love On The Line".

Deeanne Gist's newest title did a great job of hooking me from the opening chapter.  I could see the story unfold in my mind as I followed her on the journey from train robbery to small town...this author has an amazing ability to describe settings and people so that you have a definite picture album going in your head. 

I appreciated her approach to the romance, balancing it well between the chaos of small town life and real life situations.  I really loved the characters that she created...and will say that she did a GREAT job at surprising me at the end.  (LOVED the epilogue!!!)

If you like romance...and westerns...and humor...and birds...(yes, these all go together...promise!!) this would be a great book for you.

Information About The Book & Giveaway:

Deeanne is thrilled to introduce Georgie and Luke to the word in her latest novel, Love on the Line. To celebrate Deeanne's publisher, Bethany House, is hosting the Love on the Line iPad2 giveaway an Author Chat on Facebook! Enter today and follow the link below to RSVP for Deeanne's rip-roarin' Facebook Party!

One fortunate winner will receive: 

• A Brand New iPad2 
• A Signed Copy of Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 7th. Winner will be announced at Deeanne's Author Chat Facebook Party. Deeanne will be wrapping of the Love on the Line celebration by chatting with friends new and old! So grab your copy of Love on the Line (it's okay if you don't have one yet- you might could win one!) and join Deeanne on the evening of November 8th for a rip roaring book chat, a little trivia, a sneak peak at her next book, and lots of giveaways (books, and Amazon, iTunes & Starbucks gift certificates)!

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends. Hope to see you on the 8th!

Still Reading...
Bina

Reclaiming Lily

Want to win a Kindle??  Details below my review:

Maybe it was because it came the same day as two other books I was looking forward to... Or maybe it was because I couldn't relate to what I read on the back cover of the book...  Whatever the reason, I can honestly say that this wasn't a book I was excited to read.  I opened the cover and began to half-heartedly work my way thru the first few pages...and then realized I was completely wrong.  Reclaiming Lily is a book that tears straight to the heart of anyone who is a mother...anyone who has had an unforeseen storm blow into their life...or anyone who has struggled to love outside their comfort zone.

The story opens on a couple who has traveled to China to adopt a baby only to find that the baby they so waited for isn't available...but a "substitute" child is offered and accepted by open hearts.  A joyous setting...until the viewpoint shifts and we see the process of a child meeting new parents thru the eyes of the blood sister, come moments too late to reclaim her sister from the orphanage.  From the opening to the end, I found myself captured by the thoughts, heartbreak and situations Patti paints in this book. 

Cover Information:

A storm the size of Texas brews when Gloria Powell and Kai Chang meet in a Ft. Worth hotel. They have come to discuss the future of Lily, the daughter Gloria adopted from China and the sister Kai hopes to reclaim. Kai is a doctor who had to give up her little sister during the Cultural Revolution and has since discovered that an inherited genetic defect may be waiting to fatally strike Lily.

Gloria's relationship with her daughter is tattered and strained, and the arrival of Kai, despite the woman's apparent good intentions, makes Gloria fearful. Gloria longs to restore her relationship with Lily, but in the wake of this potentially devastating diagnosis, is Kai an answer to prayer--or will her arrival force Gloria to sacrifice more than she ever imagined?

Kindle Giveaway Information:

Patti Lacy is celebrating the release of her latest book, Reclaiming Lily,  with a KindleTouch Giveaway, blog tour and FB Book Chat Party!

Follow the blog tour and read the reviews!

Patti and her publisher, Bethany House, are giving away a Reclaiming Lily prize package worth over $150 to one lucky winner!!!!

Enter the Reclaiming Lily Giveaway and you could win:

• A brand new just released KindleTouch with Wi-Fi
• $25 gift cetificate to Amazon.com

But, wait there’s more!
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. Giveaway ends on 10/19! Patti will be announcing the winner of the Reclaiming Lily Giveaway at her Party on Facebook October 20th! She’ll be hosting a book club chat of Reclaiming Lily (it's okay if you haven't read it - you could win a copy!) and giving away other fun prizes! (signed copies of her books and gift certificates to Amazon.com, Starbucks, & iTunes!). Don’t miss the fun at Patti’s FB Author Page on 10/20/11 at 5pm PST ( 6 pm MST, 7 pm CST, & 8 pm EST)! RSVP today!

**Litfuse Publicity Group provided me this book for review purposes & is allowing me to keep this title once finished. I get no other compensation...other than the chance to fill my heart and soul with an excellent read. :) **

Still Reading...
Bina