Pop Rocks Review and GIVEAWAY!! **ENDED**

Pop Rocks just may be the most fun-to-eat candy ever and they are celebrating their 35th anniversary! On the off chance you have never actually tried this cool candy for yourself, the little fruit flavored candies literally pop in your mouth when you eat them. In celebration of their anniversary, the company has re-released Pop Rocks Grape which was one of the brand's original flavors but has not been available for nearly three decades.  

Review: What can I say, these are so fun to eat. My kids were ecstatic when I received a really cool limited edition Pop Rocks  backpack (not available in stores) and a 24 pack of Pop Rocks Grape. I asked my kids to tell me what they think about Pop Rocks. My son exclaimed, "They are so cool. I love Pop Rocks!" My daughter stated, "I like how it tingles all over my mouth!"  I will admit, I still love Pop Rocks even as an adult and the grape flavor is yummy.

Buy it here: Pop Rocks are available at your local retail store.

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win a 24 pack of Pop Rocks Grape and a Pop Rocks Backpack!!

**Please read the rules**This is open to US residents only. You must complete the mandatory entry before completing optional entries. Each optional entry needs to be added as a separate comment. Comments that do not follow the rules will not count and will be deleted. PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT if it is not visible in your public profile! One set of entries per household. 

 

Mandatory Entry:  Tell me whether or not you used to eat Pop Rocks as a kid!

 

Optional entries: Leave an additional comment for each entry.

1. Follow my blog (publicly)

2. Subscribe to my blog via email and confirm the subscription

3. Grab my button and post a link to your blog

4. Blog about this giveaway

5. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest (can be done daily). You must place a link to your tweet.

6. Enter another one of my contests. Enter as many as you like, but this method is only worth 1 entry regardless of how many you enter.

7. Like Cake Mom on Facebook  
8. Like Pop Rocks on Facebook 
9. Post a comment on the Pop Rocks Facebook page telling everyone your favorite Pop Rocks flavor.

10. Visit the Pop Rocks site and send someone a Wish You Were Here card.

The winner will be selected on 8/10 via random.org and will be emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond.

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Dermacyte & EnvyDerm GIVEAWAY ($195 value!) **ENDED**

Dermacyte Oxygenating Eye Complex

Dermacyte Oxygenating Eye Complex is a smooth, delicate treatment to refresh, hydrate and restore the appearance of youth to your eye contour area. It is designed to enhance the skin’s hydration, elasticity and smoothness while protecting it against environmental stress. Dermacyte Oxygenating Eye Complex is a gentle marriage of modern technology and nourishing emollients extracted from avocado essence, oat kernel, sunflower oil, the calming High Ash, a tree indigenous to European forests rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C and seeds from the Pacific Northwest Meadowfoam plant among other nurturing ingredients.

It provides a lightweight solution with its patented technology, a powerful oxygen-carrier developed to infuse oxygen for a fresher appearance and overall improved complexion.  It immediately imparts a cool, moisturizing effect while also reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. These effects along with skin brightening and anti-irritating benefits deliver a lighter and healthier feel to your skin. Price: $95, 15 ml

About the Company: Oxygen Biotherapeutics, Inc.

Oxygen Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ & SIX: OXBT) of Durham , NC, is developing cosmetic and medical products that efficiently deliver oxygen to tissues in the body. The company has developed a proprietary therapeutic oxygen carrier and liquid ventilation product that is being formulated for both intravenous and topical delivery. The Company introduced its first cosmetic product, Dermacyte® Oxygen Concentrate in 2010. In addition, the company is focused on PFC-based oxygen carriers for use in traumatic brain injury, decompression sickness, personal care, and topical wound healing. More information is available at www.dermacyteUS.com or www.dermstore.com.

EnvyDerm Eyelash Growth Serum

EnvyDerm, a groundbreaking new nonprescription formula eyelash growth serum is here for our eyebatting rescue.  “Through meticulous research and development, scientific advances, professional expertise and the understanding of a customer’s well-being, EnvyDerm is changing the world of beauty,” says Nadia Smith, President and Founder of EnvyDerm.  “At EnvyDerm, we provide consumers with the best eyelash care products to enhance their natural beauty.” Price: $99.95

How to Use EnvyDerm?

The EnvyDerm applicator is very similar to a liquid eyeliner applicator. One should apply the stimulating serum once a day before bedtime along the upper and lower lash lines.  EnvyDerm does not disrupt the daily application of make-up or other skincare routines. Can be used on brows as well.

What is in EnvyDerm?

EnvyDerm is formulated with active natural ingredients such as bioavailable lipo-oligopeptides that stimulate keratin genes.  Powerful SymPeptide technology lengthens and strengthens natural lashes. EnvyDerm uses vitamins, minerals and amino acids to moisturize and nourish lashes and brows.

When Can I Expect to See Results?

One should begin to see the lash line becoming thicker, fuller and healthier looking in as little as 2 weeks!  In a clinical study, users saw a 25 percent increase in eyelash length during this period.  EnvyDerm will continue to prove results over time if used on a consistent basis.

About EnvyDerm

EnvyDerm Eyelash Growth Serum is a gentle, non-prescription formula that promotes natural eyelash growth to give you longer, fuller and darker lashes. Our product contains only safe ingredients tested by ophthalmologists with no animal testing.

EnvyDerm Eyelash Growth Serum uses powerful SymPeptide technology to lengthen and strengthen your natural lashes, while reinforcing the hair with nourishing proteins, vitamins and moisturizers.   Available for purchase at www.envyderm.com, www.Amazon.com, www.drugstore.com and www.overstock.com.   

WIN IT HERE: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win a Dermacyte Oxygenating Eye Complex and EnvyDerm Eyelash Growth Serum ($195 value!)

**Please read the rules**This is open to US residents only. You must complete the mandatory entry before completing optional entries. Each optional entry needs to be added as a separate comment. Comments that do not follow the rules will not count and will be deleted. PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT if it is not visible in your public profile! One set of entries per household. 

 

Mandatory Entry:  Tell me why you want to win!

 

Optional entries: Leave an additional comment for each entry.

1. Follow my blog (publicly)

2. Subscribe to my blog via email and confirm the subscription

3. Grab my button and post a link to your blog

4. Blog about this giveaway

5. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest (can be done daily). You must place a link to your tweet.

6. Enter another one of my contests. Enter as many as you like, but this method is only worth 1 entry regardless of how many you enter.

7. Like Cake Mom on Facebook  

The winner will be selected on 8/9 via random.org and will be emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond.

I was not compensated for this post. All information was provided by the company.

Think Geek Harry Potter: Mirror of Erised Review!

Are you a Harry Potter fan? My family and I certainly are. My son has a pretty nice collection of Harry Potter items and I was very excited when I saw some of the magical products Think Geek has to offer.  It seems like a lifetime since the first movie, The Sorcerer's Stone, was released. In the movie, the Mirror of Erised is a magical mirror that shows the user the one thing they want more than anything else in the world.


The Harry Potter Mirror of Erised offered by Think Geek is a detailed recreation of the mirror featured in the film. It measures 16.5" x 8.5" and can be either mounted on the wall or rest on a tabletop.  Although this version will only show your face, it is a true collector's item for Harry Potter fans of all ages.

Review:  This mirror is nothing short of stunning.  The details are incredible and it truly looks like the original (granted, a much, much smaller version).   It is of good quality and is a nice weight as well. The mirror itself is very clear. This piece would look great either hung on a wall or on a tabletop.  It would also make a really great gift for any Harry Potter fan!

I would love to hear from you. What is your favorite Harry Potter movie and what do you think of this mirror?




Check out the amazing details!


Buy it here: The Mirror of Erised can be purchased from Think Geek for $69.99.

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

I Won...THANK YOU!!

On June 3-4, my family and I had the opportunity to visit Chautauqua, NY for a Blogger Symposium. The experience was great and over the summer the bloggers who attended were asked to blog throughout the season. The blogger who drove the most traffic to their website wins a 3 day all inclusive trip later this summer!!

Thanks to all of you, I won!! I am so excited! I am planning on taking my husband and kids during the last weekend so we can see Bill Cosby and the Beach Boys. What a great end to the summer season.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

Whirled Peas Review and GIVEAWAY!! **ENDED**

It is no secret that kids love games. What you may have forgotten is how much adults like games too! Whirled Peas is a game where two teams compete to win rounds of fast paced challenges. Spin The Pea-King® spinner and fill your pod with peas to win! One challenge card is played per turn with both teams racing to shout the right answer fist.  Some of the challenges include saying a phrase out loud with your lips closed and coaching another player to draw a certain picture.

Review: Although I do not frequently have the opportunity to play a game with a number of adults, I truly enjoy it.  This game is a lot of fun and will having you laughing out loud the entire time you play. It is a rare opportunity when adults can get together and just act silly, and Whirled Peas gives you the chance.  The directions are great. On one side, the different challenges are explained and on the other side there are illustrations showing you how the challenge would look. I wish all game instructions were this clear! Everything about the game was fun to the colorful contents to the actual challenges. This is definitely a great buy if you get together often with other adults or have teenagers in the house.

Buy it here: Whirled Peas can be purchased at your local Barnes & Nobles and from the Whirled Peas website.  

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win Whirled Peas!!

**Please read the rules**This is open to US residents only. You must complete the mandatory entry before completing optional entries. Each optional entry needs to be added as a separate comment. Comments that do not follow the rules will not count and will be deleted. PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT if it is not visible in your public profile! One set of entries per household. 

 

Mandatory Entry: Check out the different Whirled Peas challenges and tell me which one you think looks like the most fun!

 

Optional entries: Leave an additional comment for each entry. For example, if you blog about this contest, leave 3 separate comments!

1. Follow my blog (publicly)

2. Subscribe to my blog via email and confirm the subscription

3. Grab my button and post a link to your blog

4. Blog about this contest (with a link to my blog) and post a link to your blog (2 entries)

5. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest (can be done daily). You must place a link to your tweet.

6. Enter another one of my contests. Enter as many as you like, but this method is only worth 1 entry regardless of how many you enter.

7. Like Cake Mom on Facebook 

The winners will be selected on 8/8 via random.org and will be emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond.

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Foodie Friday: Frank's Red Hot Thick Sauce Review and GIVEAWAY!! **ENDED**

My husband is a huge fan of Frank's Red Hot sauce and has been for many years. The company has recently released Frank's Red Hot Thick Sauce which has the same taste as the original, only in a thicker form to make it easier to dip, spread,  and pour. The sauce is made with a premium blend of aged cayenne peppers. A serving size of the sauce (1 tablespoon) has only 10 calories.  Some suggestions for use include dipping fries, spreading it over burgers, or purring it over nachos/omelets.


Review: The original sauce has quite a kick to it, but we only use it for making a certain dip because it was thin and difficult to work with in other ways. The thick version was definitely much easier to work with and provides many more opportunities for recipes! Since spicy foods are less than appealing to me, I left the review up to my spice-loving husband. He noted that the sauce is very flavorful.. He likes Frank's so much that he refuses to buy any other brand and he said that he will definitely use the Thick sauce again. He put it on a burger and kept commenting on how delicious it was!

Buy it here: You can purchase Frank's Red Hot Thick Sauce from your local grocer. Coupons are available on their website!

Win it here: Three (3) lucky Cake Mom readers are going to win a bottle of Frank's Red Hot Thick Sauce!!

**Please read the rules**This is open to US residents only. You must complete the mandatory entry before completing optional entries. Each optional entry needs to be added as a separate comment. Comments that do not follow the rules will not count and will be deleted. PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT if it is not visible in your public profile! One set of entries per household. 

 

Mandatory Entry: Tell me which Frank's Red Hot recipe you would love to try!

 

Optional entries: Leave an additional comment for each entry. For example, if you blog about this contest, leave 3 separate comments!

1. Follow my blog (publicly)

2. Subscribe to my blog via email and confirm the subscription

3. Grab my button and post a link to your blog

4. Blog about this contest (with a link to my blog) and post a link to your blog (2 entries)

5. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest (can be done daily). You must place a link to your tweet.

6. Enter another one of my contests. Enter as many as you like, but this method is only worth 1 entry regardless of how many you enter.

7. Like Cake Mom on Facebook 

The winners will be selected on 8/7 via random.org and will be emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond.

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Ancestry.com Review and GIVEAWAY!! ($299 value!!) **ENDED**

The internet has been a wonderful tool for individuals who want to learn more about their ancestors and exploring genealogy has become a hobby for many people. Ancestry.com  is an amazing site that allows users access to over 6 billion historical records and millions of family trees. Families can reconnect with long-lost relatives through and explore the paths their ancestors took to make them the family they are today. 

With Ancentry.com, you are able to search military records, death records, and more. You can build your own family tree that can keep expanding further and further. Once you name a relative, the site will give you hints to possible record matches.   Ancestry.com gift subscriptions begin at $69 for six months of access to the U.S.-focused collections and max out at $299 for world-wide access for 12 months. In addition to gift subscriptions, users can create unique family memory books, posters and gifts that showcase their family histories. 

Featured data collections

• New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957
• Border Crossings: From Canada to U.S., 1895-1956
• U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925
• UK Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960
• New South Wales, Australia, Unassisted Immigrant Passenger Lists, 1826-1922
• Hamburg Passenger Lists, 1850-1934
• U.S. Naturalization Records - Original Documents, 1795-1972 (World Archives Project)

Review: I can see why genealogy is so addicting! I spent quite a bit of time searching for my father's line of relatives. I was able to start a decent family tree. It was really great when I found my grandfather's Veteran's burial card. It was scanned in so I got to see the actual writing and everything. 

Searches are by relevance, but I had to search for the correct names and they did not seem to be most relevant to me. The more information you know, the better the search results are. Unfortunately, I do not know a lot about my father's family and since he is deceased I cannot get much from him. However, the more time I have spent searching, the more I came up with. I am sure I will keep searching for more information and hope to find out something really great or interesting about my family tree. A membership would truly make a great gift for the family history enthusiast.

Example of a family tree

Buy it here: You can register for a membership at Ancestry.com. You can also sign up for a 7 day free trial. 

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader will win a year long Delux World Level membership to Ancestry.com valued at $299! 

**Please read the rules** You must complete the mandatory entry before completing optional entries. Each optional entry needs to be added as a separate comment. Comments that do not follow the rules will not count and will be deleted. PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT if it is not visible in your public profile! One set of entries per household. 

 

Mandatory Entry:  Tell me one interesting fact from your family history! Don't know much? Tell me why you want to win!

 

Optional entries: Leave an additional comment for each entry.

1. Follow my blog (publicly)

2. Subscribe to my blog via email and confirm the subscription

3. Grab my button and post a link to your blog

4. Blog about this giveaway

5. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest (can be done daily). You must place a link to your tweet.

6. Enter another one of my contests. Enter as many as you like, but this method is only worth 1 entry regardless of how many you enter.

7. Like Cake Mom on Facebook  

The winner will be selected on 8/6 via random.org and will be emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond.

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own. 

Congrats to llinda29! You have been emailed!

Tropical Traditions Coconut Chips Review and GIVEAWAY!! **ENDED**

Tropical Traditions 100% natural Coconut Chips are made from organic dried coconuts in the Philippines that are grown with no fertilizers or pesticides. This premium dried coconut contains no additives or preservatives, and is not sweetened. Unlike most dried coconut on the market, their dried coconut products are not treated with sulfites to keep them white. The Coconut Chips are a  large cut that can be used as a snack food. You can mix them with nuts and dried fruit, for example.

Review: Aside from the not-so-easy-to-open lid, my experience with the Coconut Chips is very positive.  The chips are a little crispier and larger than the flakes I reviewed in the past. My son loves coconut and I am always trying to encourage him to choose healthier snacks so this has been a nice alternative to sugary foods. I used some in a trail mix and it turned out delicious. If you like coconut, then I would recommend giving this a try. The container is huge so it should last you a very long time!

Buy it here: Tropical Traditions also has a Referral Program, so if you place an order with them as a first-time customer, please select “Referred by a friend” and in the box that says “How did you hear of us?” enter my sponsor ID number 5891254. By telling Tropical Traditions that I referred you, you will receive a complimentary copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people’s lives and how it can change yours! by Brian and Marianita Shilhavy with your first order! This book is filled with testimonies and research showing how healthy coconut oil is, and it also includes over 85 recipes showing how one can incorporate coconut into their diet.
You'll be directed to the Order Form at the Tropical Traditions/Healthy Buyers Club website.  If you choose not to purchase a membership to the Healthy Buyers Club, please order under the heading “Retail Sale Items”. This will enable you to purchase less than case amounts of any of the individual items without a membership.

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win Coconut Chips from Tropical Traditions.

**Please read the rules**
This is open to US and Canadian residents only. You must complete the mandatory entry before completing optional entries. Each optional entry needs to be added as a separate comment. Comments that do not follow the rules will not count and will be deleted. PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT!

Mandatory Entry: Sign up for Tropical Traditions newsletter (current subscribers can enter too!)
 
Optional entries: Leave an additional comment for each entry. For example, if you blog about this contest, leave 3 separate comments!

1. Follow my blog (publicly)
2. Subscribe to my blog via email and confirm the subscription
3. Grab my button and post a link to your blog
4. Blog about this contest (with a link to my blog) and post a link to your blog (3 entries)
5. Follow Cake Mom and Tropical Traditions on Twitter and tweet about this contest (can be done daily). You must place a link to your tweet.
6. Enter another one of my contests. Enter as many as you like, but this method is only worth 1 entry regardless of how many you enter.
7. Buy something from Tropical Traditions using the link under "Buy It Now" between now and the close of this post for 10 EXTRA ENTRIES!!

8. Like Cake Mom on Facebook 
 

The winner will be selected on 8/5 via random.org and will be emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond.

Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Congrats to Flour on my Face! You have been emailed.

Cablemover.com Announcement and Home Depot GIVEAWAY!! **ENDED**

Millions of Americans plan to move this summer. The average American has over 60 tasks to do in order to prepare for the move. Important decisions can slip through the tracks. Recommended by HGTV's Lisa LaPorta and new product journalist David Gregg, cablemover.com helps you easily incorporate technology into new homes. You can connect your cable TV, phone and internet in one stop at cablemover.com! 

By putting in your new address, you can select the best package for TV, internet, and phone. You see the different bundle options along with the price and can then customize appropriately to meet your needs. Don't want a bundle package? No problem! You can select your own services.  You can even schedule installation.  The website also has options for changing your address and a section for expert moving tips.  This website can save lots of time and, did I mention, it is free!


Find out more about moving and changing services here:

Sign up here: If you are moving, then check out the cablemover.com site right away!

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win a $25 Home Depot egift card and 2 cablemover. com tote bags!

**Please read the rules**This is open to US residents only. You must complete the mandatory entry before completing optional entries. Each optional entry needs to be added as a separate comment. Comments that do not follow the rules will not count and will be deleted. PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT if it is not visible in your public profile! One set of entries per household. 

 

Mandatory Entry: Check out cablemover.com and tell me something you learned.

 

Optional entries: Leave an additional comment for each entry.

1. Follow my blog (publicly)

2. Subscribe to my blog via email and confirm the subscription

3. Grab my button and post a link to your blog

4. Blog about this giveaway and put the link to the post

5. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest (can be done daily). You must place a link to your tweet.

6. Enter another one of my contests. Enter as many as you like, but this method is only worth 1 entry regardless of how many you enter.

7. Like Cake Mom on Facebook 
8. Visit the Chautauqua Institution and tell me what you think is best about the place (3 entries)

The winner will be selected on 8/4 via random.org and will be emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond.

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own. 

Congrats to tarter95! You have been emailed.

Febreeze Breathe Happy Experiment

Febreze's new campaign involves a Breathe Happy experiment aimed at surprising real people with unconventional scent experiments. For the campaign, Febreze places real, everyday people in the middle of some very smelly situations, proving that Febreze freshness and scent can transform the air for people can breathe happy.

Febreze provided me with a Breathe Happy Kit and challenged me to conduct my own experiment at home. 

Step 1: I had to find the smelliest room in my home or bring a few stinky items to one location. So, I brought an opened can of tuna and some damp and dirty socks into my son' room.

Step 2: I sprayed down the furniture and rugs with Febreze Fabric Refresher.

Step 3: I grabbed my son, placed a blindfold on him, and led him to his room.

Step 4: I told him to breath in and asked him when he smelled. 

Step 5: I had him remove his blindfold and watched his reaction as he saw the stinky items close by.

Results: Jack's reaction was, "Wow, that smells good. I can't really describe it but it smells really good". He was then quite surprised that the Febreze covered the stinky smells. He then took the Febreze out of my hand and started spraying it more. He then put the bottle on his bookshelf and told me is is keeping it! I do agree with him that the smell is great and it is really amazing how it can eliminate bad odors.  I am not so sure I am willing to give up my bottle! 

I was provided with a Febreze Breathe Happy Kit from Febreze in exchange for my honest opinion. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

EvoraPet Review and GIVEAWAY!! **ENDED**

Teddy's Pride, the first-ever all-natural probiotic breath freshener and teeth whitener created especially for dogs and cats, has been rebranded as EvoraPet. Daily use of EvoraPet Pet Oral Care provides a quick, simple, and effective way to naturally promote fresher breath and whiter teeth without the hassle, stress, and poor results of trying to brush your teeth or investing in costly and potentially dangerous cleaning procedures requiring anesthesia at the veterinarian's office. 

The active ingredient in EvoraPet is Probiora3, the patented technology that was researched and developed by Oragenics to combat destructive bacteria. By balancing the good and bad bacteria in pets' mouths, it effectively freshens breath and naturally whitens teeth.  

 

Review:  EvoraPet is very simple to use. You simply sprinkle one scoopful on your pet's food once a day. It is 100% natural, odorless and tasteless. Neither of my dogs noticed that there was anything added to their food and ate it as they normally would.  Their teeth remain white and their breath is really fresh! Since brushing their teeth is difficult, (they just wants to play and bite the brush) this is a nice alternative. 

Buy it here: You can purchase EvoraPet through the Oragenics website. A 30 day supply is available for $14.95 or you can purchase a 60 day supply for $24.95. With the code EPET811, you can receive $5 off at check-out.  The coupon is good until August 31, 2011.  (U.S. only)

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win a container of EvoraPet!

**Please read the rules**This is open to US residents only. You must complete the mandatory entry before completing optional entries. Each optional entry needs to be added as a separate comment. Comments that do not follow the rules will not count and will be deleted. PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT if it is not visible in your public profile! One set of entries per household. 

 

Mandatory Entry: Tell me why you want to win! 

 

Optional entries: Leave an additional comment for each entry. For example, if you blog about this contest, leave 3 separate comments!

1. Follow my blog (publicly)

2. Subscribe to my blog via email and confirm the subscription

3. Grab my button and post a link to your blog

4. Blog about this contest (with a link to my blog) and post a link to your blog (2 entries)

5. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest (can be done daily). You must place a link to your tweet.

6. Enter another one of my contests. Enter as many as you like, but this method is only worth 1 entry regardless of how many you enter.

7. Like Cake Mom on Facebook 

The winners will be selected on 8/3 via random.org and will be emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond.

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own. 

Congrats to Nola727! You have been emailed.

Clue: Harry Potter Review

My family and I just went to see the final Harry Potter movie today AND IT WAS AMAZING!  If you have not seen it yet, then what are you waiting for?! Two weeks ago we started a family game night every Friday and we were very excited to play a Harry Potter themed game since we are all big fans!

I have enjoyed a good game of Hasbro Clue since I was a little girl. If you are not familiar with the game, the goal is to figure out who committed a crime, where they did it, and what weapon they used. You figure out these elements through the process of elimination. 

Rather than a mansion setting, in their newest edition of the game, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, players get to explore the halls of Hogwarts, the Forbidden Forest, the Ministry of Magic, and more. A Hogwarts student has gone missing and it’s your job to uncover the mystery – Where did the attack occur? Who did it? Which weapon or spell did they use? Players take on the identity of their favorite “Harry Potter” character and then race to decipher clues, uncover secrets and solve the mystery of the missing student!
There are a few more rules to this version which include the use of spells, set backs thanks to the "dark mark", and rules about traveling through hidden passages.

Review:  Quite simply put, this game is F-U-N! Every last bit of the game is Harry Potter themed which has gotten us very excited about the final movie. The added rules truly enhanced the game and made it more fun for the family to play.  My son is 8 and was easily able to play with my husband and I. The rules were a bit complicated for him at first, but he was quickly able to catch on.  My daughter, who is 5, cannot yet read but she still enjoys playing on teams because she loves the Harry Potter series so much. I would definitely say this is a must-have for any Harry Potter fan.

Buy it here: You can purchase Clue Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows soon from your local toy store and from Hasbro.com.

I was provided with the above mentioned product from Hasbro in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Think Geek: Angry Birds Review

Hi, my name is Jamie and I am an Angry Birds-aholic.In case you have not heard of Angry Birds, it is a game app for your iPod and Smartphone and it is completely addictive. The point of the game is to sling birds (who are angry because the evil green pigs stole their eggs) at structures containing pigs in order to knock all of the pigs down before you run out of birds. I know it sounds weird, but trust me, it is so fun!

My kids also love Angry Birds, but since my iPod Touch shattered three days after I bought it, I no longer let them play it after getting it fixed. A nice alternative is the Angry Birds Game from Think Geek. Think Geek is just about the bet website for finding weird, fun, and unique items that feature pop culture gift items for every area of your life. The Angry Birds Game works very similar to the app version. Players draw a card and build the structure shown. The opponents then launch an Angry Bird

in an attempt to knock it, and the pigs down to win points.The game is for ages 5 and up and for 2-4 players.

Review: My kids were ecstatic when the game arrived in the mail. Okay, I was too. I was amazed at how much the pigs and birds looked exactly like the app version. My son, who is great at putting together LEGOs, found the structures fairly easy to build. I, on the other hand, have some serious deficits in the construction area and struggled a bit with the more complicated designs. The complexity of the structures was dependent upon the points it was worth. The slingshot action was challenging as well, but very fun. My kids did not play a single round without smiling and/or laughing. It proved to be a really fun game and I am thrilled that they are occupied with this and no longer ask to play with my iPod Touch. 

Buy it here: The Angry Birds Game can be purchased from Think Geek for $23.99.

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Shakespeare for Children: Romeo & Juliet Review & Five Star Publications Giveaway **ENDED**

Five Star Publications is urging children to read this summer in order to help skip the "summer slide" and keep their minds active and their imaginations inspired this summer. They are encouraging young readers (or parents with not-quite readers) to check out the following titles:

Rattlesnake Rules: Conrad demystifies the world of rattlesnakes and introduces children to such topics as who, when, and what rattlesnakes eat. He shows readers why rattlesnakes have rattles and what it means if you hear one. You will learn how the snakes’ forked tongues help them survive. The delightful and colorful illustrations of Nathaniel P. Jensen help bring the story alive. More info: http://www.fivestarpublications.com/book_detail.php?recordid=111

Addie Slaughter: The Girl Who Met Geronimo - Famous Sheriff John Slaughter’s young daughter, Addie, bravely travels from Texas to the Arizona-Mexico border, settling on the 1800s Slaughter Ranch. Along the way, her mother dies; she narrowly escapes a stagecoach robbery and murder; an earthquake destroys the ranch; her father's earlobe is shot off; and she meets Geronimo. More info:  http://www.fivestarpublications.com/book_detail.php?recordid=142

Cheery: The true adventures of a Chiricahua Leopard Frog

More info: Cheery is a Chiricahua Leopard Frog. He starts as an egg in a pond, turns into a tadpole, and then into a frog. Dr. Elizabeth W. Davidson explains why Leopard Frogs and other amphibians might become extinct. Cheery: How a Lonely Frog Finds Friends tells children what can be done to save the frogs. More info: http://www.fivestarpublications.com/book_detail.php?recordid=143

Shakespeare for Children: The Story of Romeo and Juliet - Highly condensed, fully illustrated version of the world's greatest and most tragic love story. Author supplies thought-provoking discussion questions that allows you to explore this tale from any age or perspective. Use the same discussion questions to help you explore the other plays from a similar perspective. More info: http://www.fivestarpublications.com/book_detail.php?recordid=39

Gunfight at the O.K. Corral: Luke and his sister Jenny aren't overly excited when they first learn of their mother's plan to take them to Tombstone , Arizona , as part of their vacation. That changes in a hurry when they are suddenly swept back to the 1880s and the famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral. The ghost of the Grand Hotel's handyman, a kindly gentleman by the name of Swamper, guides them through the events of that fateful time. Young readers are right there with Luke and Jenny as they learn firsthand the story of the Earp brothers and what led to the historic shootout. More info: http://www.fivestarpublications.com/book_detail.php?recordid=92

Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War: As Luke and his sister Jenny resume their summer vacation their mother plans a stop at the historic town of Lincoln , New Mexico . But when a thunderstorm begins to brew, Luke and Jenny realize things aren't what they seem. Suddenly they are swept back in time and find themselves face-to-face with the notorious Billy the Kid. The ghost of Paul, a young buffalo soldier who lived over a century ago, guides them on their journey as they experience the life and times of this mysterious young outlaw. Will Billy the Kid live up to his legend? More info: http://www.fivestarpublications.com/book_detail.php?recordid=105

The Student From Zombie Island
By Michael J. Moorehead 

This captivatingly illustrated story takes you on a whirlwind trip through the rumor mill. A new kid is coming to school. Known only as Bust 'em Up Bill, it's not long before the other students have made up their minds what he must be like. Rumors based on fear begin flying around the school! With a nickname like Bust 'em Up Bill, he must have flaming red hair, yellow fangs, the claws of a dragon, and breath that can singe your hair! As the story progresses, the rumors grow wilder and wilder until (gulp!) Bust 'em Up Bill shows up at school. More info: http://www.fivestarpublications.com/book_detail.php?recordid=82

Review of Romeo & Juliet I am a HUGE Shakespeare fan and my children and I have talked a bit about  the story of Romeo & Juliet. So, this title was my natural choice for the review. My son, who is 8, was less than thrilled when he realized he would be subjected to a love story, but quickly become interest when he realized there were multiple fight scenes. I was worried that the Shakespearean dialect would be for over their heads, but they actually enjoyed trying to figure out what each page was about. Included in each page of the book was a section of the play in original form, a brief explanation of the action, and an illustration. Jack was moderately entertained but mt 5 year old daughter loved this book. In fact, she loves the story so much we had to watch the original movie as well as the Leonardo DiCaprio and Clair Danes version immediately after she was done with the book. I frequently see her thumbing through the book and looking at the illustration. It was hard to believe, but also amazing that she loves this book. I guess she inherited my love of William Shakespeare!

Buy it here: The titles mentioned in this post can be purchased from the Five Star Publications website.

Win it here: One lucky Cake Mom reader is going to win the title of their choice from those listed in this post!

**Please read the rules**This is open to US & Canadian residents only. You must complete the mandatory entry before completing optional entries. Each optional entry needs to be added as a separate comment. Comments that do not follow the rules will not count and will be deleted. PLEASE LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT if it is not visible in your public profile! One set of entries per household. 

 

Mandatory Entry:  Tell me which title you will choose if you win. Choose carefully because this will be the one you receive if you win.

 

Optional entries: Leave an additional comment for each entry.

1. Follow my blog (publicly)

2. Subscribe to my blog via email and confirm the subscription

3. Grab my button and post a link to your blog

4. Blog about this giveaway

5. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest (can be done daily). You must place a link to your tweet.

6. Enter another one of my contests. Enter as many as you like, but this method is only worth 1 entry regardless of how many you enter.

7. Like Cake Mom on Facebook  

The winner will be selected on 8/1 via random.org and will be emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond.

I was provided with the above mentioned product for the purpose of facilitating this review. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own.

Congrats to Kenmei! You have been emailed.