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Trip Flix
"Are we there yet?"
The most annoying question in the world when you’re stuck in the car with a couple of road-weary kids just got a little less frequent. Trip Flix is like a history lesson and fun distraction all rolled into one and it can help to make long roadtrips much more bearable.
Developed by some road-weary parents, Trip Flix divides the country up into small sections and tells you interesting tidbits about each state as you go. The DVD is interactive, so if you have a remote control in the car, kids can easily take guesses at silly or historical questions as they drive.
The two teenage hosts travel throughout the country to different locations and through their experiences, kids learn a little something about where they’re going or where they’re traveling through. From a boat-making experience in the northeast, to an encounter with gnomes and caves, Trip Flix offers a little bit of something for everyone.
While my 7-year old watched with great interest, my 2-year old wasn’t quite as intrigued. I would definitely recommend Trip Flix for older children. I can’t see kids under the age of five wanting to trade in their Mickey Mouse Clubhouse movie in favor of Trip Flix. But, for a bored-to-near-death child who likes to learn a little something, Trip Flix is an interesting and fun way to pass the time.
My only complaint about the DVD is that the volume was not consistent throughout. We were frequently adjusting the volume as some segments would be much louder or softer than others.
Trip Flix is available to purchase through the Trip Flix website or directly from Amazon for $19.99. If you have a child you’d like to distract on a long ride (or even a rainy afternoon in the family room), Trip Flix is definitely worth a look.
BBM gives Trip Flix. . .
Schlage
I can’t tell you how many of my credit cards have been ruined while Mr. BBM has tried to break into our own house. Most of these attempts ended up with calls to both a locksmith and the credit card company. Or, Mr. BBM just used these incidents as excuses to ruin, what he deems my non-essential credit cards, like Victoria Secret for example.
The days of wrecking my plastic and blowing $60 on a locksmith are over. I’d like to introduce to you my fabulous new shiny brass friend.
This fabulous keyless entry deadbolt retails for about $128 in stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s. You can also purchase it directly from Schlage in a variety of finishes.
Although I unwrapped the packaging in a few minutes flat, it took my husband about 20 minutes to install the new deadbolt. It comes with everything you need and instructions that are easy to follow, even if you speak alien.
Once installed, you only need press the main key, followed by your four digit code to gain entry to your home. To lock the deadbolt on the way out, all you need to do is press the main button and turn the lock. No key is required for entry or exit. Add to that the fact that you can program the lock to work with a variety of codes and this is even better. Want to provide entry for your cat-sitter without giving the main code? Codes can easily be added and deleted from memory and the deadbolt works with a battery (included with the lock-how nice is that? Maybe toy companies should take note!).
If you’re looking for an attractive way to spruce up your deadbolt and add additional security and peace of mind for those keyless days, you really need look no further.
For its stylish presentation, ease of installation, and the fact that I don’t have to worry about forgetting my keys anymore, BBM gives the Schlage digital deadbolt. . .
Ragu’s Fresh and Simple Pouches
Clip it. Pop it. Pour it.
Ragu’s Fresh and Simple Pouches have ensured a fresh taste, with a low-mess prep that is really quite cool. You’re supposed to clip the corner of the pouch, pop it in the microwave for 90 seconds, and then pour it on the pasta of your choice. We don’t follow directions very well in the BBM house, so that scenario didn’t quite happen. What I can tell you about the pouches is that they taste delicious and that even if you forget the part about microwaving it, pouring it directly on hot pasta works just fine, especially for kids who like everything lukewarm.
We tried the Tomato and Fresh Basil and the Garden Veggie pasta sauces and thought they were quite delicious. The kids had no complaints and my husband and I were wondering why we stopped buying Ragu sauces to begin with. We’ve certainly changed our minds about that. The sauce pouches boast no added sugar, additives or preservatives and when you add that to the elimination of one more pot needed to cook dinner, you’ve got a winner.
In addition to creating these no-pot-necessary sauces, Ragu has teamed up with some great Mom’s and fitness people to create an online recipe book full of great info regarding food and families. You can access these recipes here.
For the ease of use and the delicious flavor, BBM gives Ragu Fresh & Simple Pouches. . .
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
When a house is for sale, a home seller does a whole lot of cleaning. Trust me, my house has been on the market for three months now. So when I was offered a container of new Clorox Disinfecting Wipes to try, I couldn’t possibly refuse.
I expected my skin to pretty much burn off at first touch, but despite the fact that they’re called Clorox, there is no bleach in them (I found this out when I was about to go all ballistic on my poison ivy rash with some straight-up bleach and my husband disappointed me by saying there is no such thing in the wipes). Despite them not having bleach, they clean like they do and they leave a super nice fresh scent in their wake, which is fabulous for last minute cleanings before showing one’s home to potential buyers.
Gentle on my hands, but tough on germs, Clorox Disinfecting Wipes boasts that it can kill the flu virus. The lavender scented wipes smell lovely and they are thicker than a baby wipe, which makes cleaning up a breeze. They are super handy to have in the kitchen, and they work great in bathrooms as well. Convinced my poison ivy rash that keeps on coming was being distributed via my door handles, I also used them on all the doorknobs in my house. It’s a whole lot more convenient using these wipes than carrying around a roll of paper towels and cleaner.
The only problem with these wipes? I just don’t have enough of them yet. When I don’t look like a leper anymore, I’m heading to the store and you probably should too. For more information on Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, go here.
Because they smell really nice and work quite well, BBM gives Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. . .
Groomsmen
Sometimes I feel like I got married in the dark ages. There were no fancy websites to help you, at least none that I know of, and nothing could be done via the internet. Planning a wedding from four hours away was not always pleasant. These days, brides and grooms have some really nice help in the form of websites that give them ideas, inspiration and previously unheard of help. Groomsmen is just the site to help with all the little details.
If you’re looking for gifts for your groomsmen, you’ll want to visit the Groomsmen Gift area of the site. From cuff links to handy tools, to cigars to shaving kits, you’ll find everything you need to let your groomsmen know you’re glad they stood up beside you. You can also find bridesmaid gifts in the form of vases, lockets and compacts. It’s not just for the adults either. The kids gifts you can find for those special little ring bearers and flower girls are adorable and not your typical Groomsmen Gift. From harmonica’s and yo-yo’s to adorable train banks, your little wedding party participants won’t be left out.
Not just for gifts, Groomsmen offers helpful tips for everything from having the perfect wedding ceremony to giving the ideal toast, to creating a honeymoon full of lasting memories. And it’s not just for the men in the wedding either. Helpful tips abound for both the groom and his lucky bride.
For the abundance of information and being somewhat of a one-stop shop for gifts and wedding advice, BBM gives Groomsmen:
Getting Rave Reviews
BlogHer Review
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