DXG Luxe Collection Camcorder Review + Giveaway {$250 ARV} - FOUR WINNERS

My kids are growing up so fast and its amazing that I'm starting to forget some of the quirky things they did as babies. I wish that I would have remembered to take the camcorder out more and have recently vowed to start doing so. I was recently sent the DXG Luxe 1080p Slim HD Camcorder so that I can capture as many memories as possible.  This new stylish camcorder is available in red and purple - I went with the red.

The DXG Luxe 1080p Slim HD Camcorder combines HD technology and style in one device that's hip, hot and haute. It features a classic design that is inspired by the latest trends in fashion and will complement anyone's taste and personal style. This camcorder records real 1080p high definition video and captures still pictures up to 12 megapixels. It also boasts a 3" touchscreen display and an HDMI interface so it can easily be connected to your HDTV. This camcorder comes with everything you need to start recording your precious memories right away.

It came with a USB/AV combo cable, Lithium-ion battery, Charger, and Matching Case. The site says it comes with a SD card, but mine didn't have one. I had to go purchase one-I absolutely think one should be included. I'm extremely excited about the matching case because I will keep this in my diaper bag. The case will help prevent the camcorder from getting scratched or damaged.

The camera has several fun features. First of all, it is less than 1 inch thick so it takes up very little room. The screed flips out and can be turned to the front or back so you always know what you're recording.

The camcorder can take both pictures and videos which makes it where you only have to carry one camera around. It has a 3-inch LCD touch screen display and I can see what I'm recording very well indoors or out. You can set everything up by touching the screen-I keep wanting to press buttons.

You can make it darker or lighter when recording by touching the side of the screen. My only issue with this camcorder is that I can't figure out how to get it to zoom when in record mode. It will zoom while taking a picture, but not while taking a video. When I push the up or down button the option pops up but it doesn't allow me to do it. After reading the manual, it says the 1080p doesn't support the zoom function. I really feel like any camcorder should have zoom. Below is a picture of what happens when I try to zoom-that circle pops up in the middle.

Here is a random picture that I took with the DXG Luxe Camcorder. Evan was about to go down the slide on the other side.

This is a quick video of the double rainbow that we saw the other day. It was pretty dark and cloudy outside when I took it.


Visit DXG to learn more and to view their other products in the Luxe Collection.

Win It

DXG is giving FOUR of my readers a DXG Luxe Collection Camcorder in either purple or red.

To enter, visit DXG and tell me which camera is your favorite in the Luxe Collection. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

Extra Entries

You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1- For TWO extra entries, subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For FIVE extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and DXG Luxe 1080p Slim HD Camcorder.

4- Follow twoofakind on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Leave me a link to your tweet in a comment below. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: #WIN a DXG Luxe Collection Camcorder {$250 ARV} @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/5vafl6f #giveaway has FOUR WINNERS

5- Include a link to this post in your facebook status letting your friends know you entered this giveaway. Leave your first and last name(or initial) in a comment below. If you tag me (@Dee Twofakind or @Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House), I can actually see your status on facebook. You can do this 1x per day for an extra entry each day.

6- Become a fan of DXG Video Cameras on Facebook.

7- Enter any of my current giveaways(1 extra entry for each that you enter).

8- Vote for me on the fence. You can do this daily for an extra entry each day.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on October 31st when I will draw a winner at random. Please leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winners and they will have 24 hours to respond!

Open to US Only!

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to the company and/or pr agency who supplied the product for review and giveaway.

 

Mattel Disney Insider - New "To Infinity And Beyond Space Toys" Review + Giveaway

Evan and Isabella became huge Toy Story fans around the time Toy Story 3 came out. We went through a stage where they were constantly wanting to watch they Toy Story movies and they still play with their Toy Story figures. I knew my kids would be up for the challenge when I heard our first Mattel Disney Insider review would be of the new To Infinity And Beyond Space Toys. We were sent the Toy Story Buzz Lightyear Spaceship Command Center and two space figures.

Both of my kids went nuts when we opened the box. The ship is amazing. It comes with a space rover vehicle and a voice PA Amplifier that allows your child to give the commands. There are plenty of lights, sounds, and movie phrases that are triggered when open or closed. The inside features a prison chamber, observation deck, and mission control launch deck. It doesn't include any figures, but Buzz, Woody, Zurg, Rex, etc are all sold separately to bring even more fun to the ship.

Our mission was to create our own Space Story with just a few pictures. This is the first story that they came up with. He wasn't really into pausing to let me take pictures, so this was the only "take" that we got.

"Oh no, it's Zurg!"

"Ah-Ha! I've finally caught him!"

"How could he have escaped so easily? He's getting away!"

Ok, so our story may be a little cheesy-but it was fun.  I adore this toy because there is plenty of space for both kids to play at the same time.  They can work together and use their imagination to create any story that they'd like.

Visit Mattel to learn more and to view their other products.  Stay tuned because I will continue to bring you news as a Mattel Disney Insider.

Buy It

You can purchase the Toy Story Buzz Lightyear Spaceship Command Center for $49.99.  The figures retail for $10.99 each.

Win It

Mattel is giving one of my readers a Toy Story Buzz Lightyear Spaceship Command Center and one action figure(winner does not choose the figure).

To enter, take a look at our little story(in pictures) above, and tell me what you think should happen in the next scene. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

Extra Entries

You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1- For TWO extra entries, subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For THREE extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and Mattel.

4- Follow twoofakind AND Mattel on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Leave me a link to your tweet in a comment below. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: #WIN a @Mattel Buzz Lightyear Spaceship AND Action figure {$60 ARV} @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/6yl9cvn #giveaway ends 10/17

5- Include a link to this post in your facebook status letting your friends know you entered this giveaway. Leave your first and last name(or initial) in a comment below. If you tag me (@Dee Twofakind or @Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House), I can actually see your status on facebook. You can do this 1x per day for an extra entry each day.

6- Place my pink, Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House button on the sidebar of your blog.

7- Enter any of my current giveaways(1 extra entry for each that you enter).

8- For TWO extra entries, leave a relevant comment on my Waba Fun post.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on October 17th when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner and they will have 24 hours to respond!

Open to US Only!

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to the company and/or pr agency who supplied the product for review and giveaway.

 

WABA Fun Superstructs Wacky Machines Wins And Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award

Evan enjoys building things more and more as he gets older. I enjoy watching his imagination soar as he uses these building products. WABA fun manufactures and markets educational children's toys under the Superstructs™, Arc-a-Teks, Moon Sand®, and Bubber® brand names. Their Superstructs Wacky Machines has won the Platinum Award from Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award for being among the most innovative and engaging new products of the year!

Superstructs are like your old Tinkertoy set---on steroids! Kids can construct seven different models with this big 175-piece set. What's new are the 16 large gears that add motion to the Superstructs. It comes with a 59-page step-by-step building guide to help kids create a ferris wheel, clock, a drilling car, a thumping watcha-ma-call-it, a three-wheeled car, a crane with gears and a lawn mower. Kids can build these or create structures from their own imaginations. Comes in a sturdy storage container. Pieces are dishwasher safe. 5 & up.

The container came full of pieces and an instruction booklet that is sure to provide hours of fun. The set is for children over 5 and Evan is 4, so I still need to help him. He would look at the pictures and get me the pieces that were next. He has even been doing some of the steps by himself as we use the set more often and he becomes familiar with it.

Building the machines is a lot of fun, but WABA fun takes it one step further. The gears work together on the one we made and it pops up one of the "Straw" pieces. Isabella thought this was so amazing, so we tied a string to the car and she pulls it along. I absolutely adore that there are so many pieces so you can build more than one "machine" at a time. It isn't necessary to take one apart to build another.

My only issue so far is that in the booklet, the wheels are red. There are no red wheels-only blue. This isn't a huge deal, but if you have a color coded instruction booklet, then they need to be the correct color. Also, there are two different size "straws" that are red. I feel like one should be red and the other should be orange or something.

Visit WABA fun to learn more and to view their other products.

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to the company and/or pr agency who supplied the product for the review.

 

Wordless Wednesday - Amazing X2

Have a WW?


 

Got Giveaways? 9/27

Got Giveaways? Link up! Check out my giveaways while you're here.

Infantino Prize Pack {$100 ARV} 10/17


$50 Kroger Gift Card 10/17


$75 Halloween Express Gift Card 10/10


Tommee Tippee Bottle Starter Kit {$45 ARV}


$75 Zutano GIft Card 9/26


Please link to the specific post for each giveaway-NOT just your blog! I will delete your link if it does not go directly to the giveaway.

***CLICK HERE for my Daily List of blogs with giveaway linkies.***

 

Peanut Butter Banana Bread Recipe

I have always enjoyed an occasional peanut butter banana sandwich, but I'm craving them more and more with this pregnancy. I was going through old magazines last week and found this Peanut Butter Banana Bread recipe in last October's Cooking Light Magazine. Luckily, I had some bananas on hand that were starting to get really ripe. The recipe turned out to be fantastic and the whole family loves it.

Ingredients
Bread:
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana
1/3 cup plain fat-free yogurt(I used fat free sour cream)
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
6 3/4 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/4 cup ground flaxseed(you can leave it out if you don't have this)
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
2 tablespoons chopped dry-roasted peanuts
Cooking spray
Glaze:
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon 1% low-fat milk
1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. To prepare bread, combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed. Add granulated and brown sugars; beat until blended.
3. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients (through allspice) in a small bowl. Add flour mixture to banana mixture; beat just until blended. Stir in nuts. Pour batter into a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 1 hour and 5 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven; cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack. Remove bread from pan; cool.
4. To prepare glaze, combine powdered sugar, milk, and 1 tablespoon peanut butter in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Drizzle glaze over bread.

Enjoy!

 

Cottonelle & Kroger Raise Breast Cancer Awareness - Giving Hope a Hand® + $50 Kroger GC Giveaway

As some of you may know, we found out that my mom had Cancer earlier this year. Thankfully, they were able to get all of her cancer after several months and surgeries. I have unfortunately had several family members who have fought a battle with this horrible disease and hope that one day they will have more cures. Through Giving Hope a Hand®, Cottonelle brand and additional partner companies will assist Kroger in raising $3 million for breast cancer awareness, treatment and research in the communities.

Cottonelle has noticed that people decorate everything in their bathroom - except for the toilet paper. These roll covers add a little design to your bathroom and you'll be supporting an awesome cause with the Pink toilet paper roll cover.  From September 25-October 8, visit Kroger to purchase specially marked packages of Cottonelle Clean Care, and receive a printout with instructions on how to redeem a free pink toilet paper roll cover(pictured above). The Cottonelle brand is introducing new designer roll covers to put the spotlight on its most care-worthy toilet paper ever: Cottonelle Clean Care.

Be sure to visit your local Kroger and support the Give Hope a Hand initiative.

Win It

Cottonelle is giving one of my readers a $50 Kroger Gift Card.

To enter, tell me where you put keep your extra rolls of toilet paper. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

Extra Entries

You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1- For TWO extra entries, subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For THREE extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and Cottonelle.

4- Follow twoofakind AND Cottonelle on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Leave me a link to your tweet in a comment below. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: Learn about Give Hope a Hand & @cottonelle Roll Covers, then #WIN a $50 @KrogerCo GC @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/6xeaevs #giveaway

5- Include a link to this post in your facebook status letting your friends know you entered this giveaway. Leave your first and last name(or initial) in a comment below. If you tag me (@Dee Twofakind or @Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House), I can actually see your status on facebook. You can do this 1x per day for an extra entry each day.

6- Become a fan of Cottonelle on Facebook.

7- Place my pink, Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House button on the sidebar of your blog.

8- Enter any of my current giveaways(1 extra entry for each that you enter).

9- For TWO extra entries, leave a comment on my Apple Cider post.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on October 17th when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner and they will have 24 hours to respond!

Open to US Only!

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to the company and/or pr agency who supplied the product for review and giveaway.

 

Hot Apple Cider K-Cup Portion Pack Coupon Code + "Apple for Teacher Contest"

It may "officially" be fall, but it is still in the 80s here. We had a cool snap about a week ago and I took that opportunity to use my Hot Apple Cider K-Cup portion packs. My keurig machine isn't just for coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, I can alos enjoy my Hot Apple Cider by Green Mountain Naturals. Check out this adorable crate that they sent me.

This Hot Apple Cider is made with real apples. These K-Cup portion packs contain no artificial flavors or preservatives -- just natural, quality ingredients. I first tried them last year and while they were a seasonal item at first, these portion packs can now be found in stores year round!  The Hot Apple Cider makes my whole kitchen smell amazing and they taste even better.

Green Mountain Naturals Hot Apple Cider is holding a new facebook contest - “Apple for Teacher Contest”. From September 30 – October 28, 2011, they will be inviting you to nominate a teacher that has inspired you or your children on the Green Mountain Naturals Facebook page. Finalists will win a variety of prizes including a $1,000 Apple Computer gift card, Keurig Brewers, Hot Apple Cider K-Cup portion packs and glass mugs. One grand prize winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship or donation to their school.

If you haven't tried the Green Mountain Naturals Hot Apple Cider, you need to check it out! Use the coupon code, AM0006-3567, for 15% off Green Mountain Naturals Hot Apple Cider and free standard shipping within the contiguous US. Not valid with any other offer.

This was a paid post and the company sent the pack of products discussed in this post. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others.

 

Infantino - Music & Motion Activity Gym And Right Tummy Triangle Review + Giveaway {$100 ARV}

If you're not familiar with Infantino, they have a fantastic selection of baby toys, carriers, and other must-haves. One product that I need for this baby is a Playmat. After looking around, I found Infantino's Music & Motion Activity Gym and was thrilled when it showed up at my door. As usual, Infantino went above and beyond and also sent their new Right Angle Tummy Triangle as well as the Topsy Turtle Mirror Pal.

Music & Motion Activity Gym
This playmat is so incredibly adorable. It is gender neutral and provides six detachable activity toys and a twirling monkey that plays music. The plush prop-up pillow and pineapple mirror are perfect for tummy time. That cute monkey can also be taken off and attached to car seats to entertain on the go.

The bars can easily be removed to make it just a fun mat. The Activity Gym will be used for many months after this baby arrives!

Sure, the bars have several rings for toys to dangle from, but there is also a toy ring on the mat. I attached the Topsy Turtle Mirror Pal to those rings-isn't he cute? There are also a few flaps and fun textures all over the mat itself.

Right Angle Tummy Triangle
To be honest, up until recently, I didn't realize that Tummy Time provided so many benefits to baby. Not only does it develop upper body strength and promote baby’s sense of balance, but I read that it can help with their speech! The Right Angle Tummy Triangle was developed with Pediatric Occupational Therapists to help baby enjoy tummy time.

The Tummy Triangle has many awesome features. The musical timer allows you to set it for 1, 5, or 10minute increments depending on how long your baby can handle tummy time. It also has a volume control.

As we all know, babies spit up and can make big messes. The fabric cover can easily be taken off and is machine washable.

With 3 small children, space is going to be an issue. The bar on the Tummy Triangle can fold over so that it can be stored in a more compact space.

Visit Infantino to learn more and to view their fantastic selection of baby products.

Win It

Infantino is giving one of my readers all three of the products mentioned above.

To enter, visit Infantino and tell me another item you'd like. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

Extra Entries

You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1- For TWO extra entries, subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For FIVE extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and Infantino.

4- Follow twoofakind AND infantino on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Leave me a link to your tweet in a comment below. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: #WIN an @infantino Prize Pack {$100 ARV} @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/3do3uoq #giveaway ends 10/17

5- Vote For me on Picket Fence Blogs. You can do this for an extra entry each day.

6- Include a link to this post in your facebook status letting your friends know you entered this giveaway. Leave your first and last name(or initial) in a comment below. If you tag me (@Dee Twofakind or @Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House), I can actually see your status on facebook. You can do this 1x per day for an extra entry each day.

7- Become a fan of infantino on facebook.

8- Place my pink, Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House button on the sidebar of your blog.

9- Enter any of my current giveaways(1 extra entry for each that you enter).

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on October 17th when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner and they will have 24 hours to respond!

Open to US Only!

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to the company and/or pr agency who supplied the product for review and giveaway.

 

LAND O LAKES® Cinnamon Sugar Butter Spread

One of my favorite breakfast items is cinnamon sugar toast. I toast the bread, melt the butter, slather the bread, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, then broil it for a few seconds. Land O Lakes has made this process much easier with their Cinnamon Sugar Butter Spread.

The spread can simply be used on things like toast, or you can use it in different recipes. My husband often skips breakfast because he leaves the house so early, but now he can quickly spread the Cinnamon Sugar Butter on a bagel and head out the door.  Our whole family has been enjoying the butter, which has become a staple at our house.

Here are a few recipes that the Cinnamon Sugar Butter is used in:

Sparkling Pumpkin Muffins

Cinnamon-Glazed Carrots

Cinnamon Apple Coffee Cake

Be sure to visit Land O Lakes to learn more and to view their other recipes featuring the Cinnamon Sugar Spread.

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to the company and/or pr agency who supplied the product for the review.