Can I say that I absolutely love this alarm clock? This is an alarm clock that every kid needs in their room. Kids as young as 3 can even use this!  Teach Me Time!  Talking Alarm Clock is an alarm clock, a teaching tool, and a nightlight!

How can it be all that?  Easy!  For kids that are 3-5, you are able to set the clock, and you can set it to be a yellow glowing nightlight.  Now, if you don’t want the kids getting up super early, you tell them they can’t get up till the clock light turns green.  Now, I didn’t think that would really work, but it does!  Well, it does for my four year old who thinks this clock is the greatest thing since sliced bread.  Now, for kids that are 5-7 years old, there is a talking game (which we tried to play with Madison, but it was pretty hit or miss for her.)  The alarm clock shows both digital and analog time, so it helps them learn to tell time.  I am hoping that if we keep working on it with Madison that she get it at some point.  Now, if your kids are over 7, the talking alarm clock works as a fully functioning alarm clock with a snooze button!

This alarm clock is a must have.  It has three different bezels (blue, pink, and yellow) that you can interchange.  This is not made with lead paint.  It has adjustable volume too.  You can even change the brightness of the nightlight.  For us, this alarm clock keeps my daughter in bed longer, and we love it.

Want to be the coolest parent ever this Christmas? The zOrb microscope is that cool gift.  I’ve had my 4 year old using it, so it is good for little kids all the way up to teenagers.  It easily hooks up to your computer; all you need to do is hook it up to your USB port on your laptop or desktop.  The really cool thing is that you can magnify it anywhere from 35 times on a 14″ monitor all the way up to 53 times on a 21″ monitor.  Want to see it in action?  Watch this video:

The microscope has a built in illuminator too.  The coolest part is that you can make your own video with it too (and no, I won’t subject you to the videos my daughter made).  The zOrb comes in three colors:  Surf Blue, Safari Green, and Lava orange.

A gift all ages will love is this zOrb microscope, so make sure it is on your shopping list.

I love love love this tote! I am so sick of having to carry a diaper bag around.  There are no stylish diaper bags either — trust me.  When I got this tote, I instantly fell in love with it (I took this picture when I first got it, hence the tag still being on there).  The fabric of the tote is both very cool looking and and very functional too.  It is actually made from upholstery fabrics, so you know it can handle the test of children and pretty much everything else you can throw at it. This is seriously the perfect briefcase, weekend bag, carry-on, sports bag, large purse, or a diaper bag/purse (like I use it).  The tote has reinforced handles, 5 interior pockets, magnetic closure and can be made with a vinyl bottom so you don’t have to worry where you set it down.  Now, I can get 5 diapers, wipes, Desitin, a change of clothes for Will (my one year old), a couple of toys, my wallet, my cell phone, and snacks in here and still have plenty of room.  I love that I can be fashionable and still have everything I need with me.

This is the perfect gift for the moms in your life (though I am pretty sure any woman in your life would like one of these totes).  Make sure you check out Sharp Hill Designs for all the different fabrics you can choose from.  There is definitely something there for everyone.

I am all about finding gifts for people who have everything or the person you have no idea what to buy them.  My mom is one of those people who never gives you any ideas.  It drives me crazy.  However, when I came across this pillowcase from Pillowcasegram, I knew I had to get it.  My mom is a Vegas freak.  My parents go there every year, and my mom loves the slot machines.  Pillowcasegrams can be sent in a special gift box and will include your personal message typed out on a telegram, or you may choose to send them in a regular envelope. There are many different themes you can pick from too.  I could have spent an entire day on their site just going through the themes.  There are some pillowcases (like the one I chose) that you can get custom embroidery done on too.  The fabric that these pillow cases are made of is high quality cotton.

This is a gift you don’t have to worry about anyone else getting.  Everyone can use pillowcases, so this is definitely a gift that will be used.  I can’t wait till Christmas, so I can give this to my mom!

I never buy myself anything, and I know that most moms are like me.  We buy everything for our families, and we take care of ourselves last.  The last winter coat that I got was when I was in high school (and I graduated in 1995).  I was definitely needing a new coat this year, and my Lands End Women’s Weatherly Jacket fit the bill.  The first thing I loved about the jacket was that it was not bulky.  I am a heavier person, and trust me when I say this, I don’t need any more bulk than I already have.  Now, even though the jacket is not bulky, it is still super warm (and this jacket was put to the test today when it was snowing out this afternoon).  The second thing I love is the fabric it is made from.  It is very comfortable; I could easily go to bed wearing this jacket.  I also have short arms, and I am able to adjust the jacket at the wrists.  For those who don’t have that issue, you have no idea what a pain it is to own clothing and coats that constantly covers your hands.  The pockets are fleece lined, and you also have side entry handwarmer pockets (and since I don’t like to carry a purse, these pockets come in super handy).  There also is an inside mp3 player pocket and some security pockets.  Lastly, there are a ton of colors to pick from.  I personally like blue, so that is what I got.

If you or a loved one needs a new coat this year, definitely make sure you check out Lands End.  You cannot go wrong with this brand!

For the last year, I have been in the process of converting all of our CDs into MP3 and saving them to the computer.  We have a lot of CDs, so it is something that is taking me a lot of time.  The sad part is that I still have half of our CD collection to still do.  This is where companies like AbundaTrade come in.  They take your new and used cds and copy them for you.  They make it ten times easier for you.

Now, once you have your CD collection as MP3s for your ipod or mp3 player, what are you going to do with those old CDs?  Now, AbundaTrade.com will buy them from you (they also buy books and DVDs too).  You give them a list of the CDs you have, and they tell you which ones they want. You then box up your CDs and send them in. The great thing is that AbundaTrade.com will send you the necessary materials to box and ship your trade-ins!  Now, you then take your credits and are able to shop on their site for a ton of things.  They have everything from TVs to cameras to a PS3.  If they don’t have the electronic item on their site that you want, you can let them know, and they will see if they can get it!  I love to be able to make extra money without really having to do anything extra.  This is an awesome way to get the CDs you no longer use out of your house and give you some extra cash for either yourself or Christmas!

What kind of cards do you send out for Christmas? Do you do a photo holiday card like you see on the left? In my family, that is exactly what I do. A lot of the people we send Christmas cards to only see my kids a couple of times a year.  It is a great way to show them how much my kids have grown.  I’ve done it both ways too — either just the kids or us as a family.  I also love receiving cards like this, so I can see how their kids have grown over the last year.

If you are looking for a huge selection of Photo Holiday Cards, you need to go check out Tiny Prints!  They truly have cards for every occasion that you could want.  They have both regular cards and photo cards too.  However, Tiny Prints and I are working together to offer you an awesome contest.  You can win your holiday card package with matching postage (Winner to receive 50 of the selected card, 72 address labels and 60 stamps with the matching card design.).  What do you have to do to win this?

1.  You need to visit their Tiny Prints Holiday Photo Cards selection and tell me which holiday card has “slushy to chic” in the description.  Once you have found it, put a fun and creative greeting on it.

2.  After you have found the card, click “ask a friend” and enter my email lisareviewsATgmail.com.  Also, click “save in favorites”

3.  Then I just need you to put in the comments of this post your greeting!

I will be selecting the winner from those who pick the correct card and come up with the most creative greeting!  Now, you can only win once, but you can enter as many times as you like.  If you have won a Tiny Prints contest in the last 90 days, you aren’t eligible.  The contest is to run from October 20, 2008 through Friday, November 7, 2008.  Contestants also relinquish greeting text ownership and allow Tiny Prints to use their entries for promotional use.  Stamps will be fulfilled separately from Tiny Prints order.  Best of all, this contest is offered to everyone no matter where you live!  I know that sometimes if you live outside of the US you miss out on a lot of these great contests.  Tiny Prints understand that and has opened it up to everyone!

Good Luck!