Well, one of my favorite stores for organizational products is theshelvingstore.com.  They recently asked me to do a review of the Umbra 5 Hook Flip Coat Rack  in Espresso.  The rack came with the hardware for hanging.  The only problem was that the template in the instructions did not match the holes on the back of the coat rack so you need to make sure you do not use that or you will be drilling 4 holes in your wall instead of two.  Other than that, you need a drill and a level and you will be able to get it up quickly.  The rack is a neat design with hooks that flip out when needed and back in when not.  It is a nice design and will complement many decors.  When hung properly, the rack is very sturdy and will provide a nice amount of hanging space.

This clean and contemporary wall-mounted coat hanger with multiple coat hooks is a stylish addition to any mudroom. Each hook is recessed until you flip it down for use. Espresso stained and lacquered hardwood with brushed nickel-plated hooks. Home is where you hang your hat, but the flip hook makes it easier to call any place home. Designed by David Quan for Umbra.
Product Dimensions:
1″d x 20″w x 3″h
(mounting hardware included)

TheShelvingStore.com is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win their own Umbra Coat Rack in Espresso.  Thank you to TheShelvingStore.com for the review rack and for sponsoring this awesome give-away on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to residents of the contiguous 48 US States.

TheShelvingStore.com Umbra 5 Hook Flip Coat Rack Give-Away on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Mandatory Entry- Visit The Shelving Store, and let me know another product you like.   Then leave me a comment on this post with your answer.  (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted)

Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook, and leave me a comment here that you did.

2. Like The Shelving Store on Facebook, leave a comment on their wall about Mommy Ramblings and this give-away. Leave me a comment here that you did.

3. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

4.Follow The Shelving Store on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

5. Follow Mommy Ramblings by email, and leave me a comment here that you did.

6. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.  You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

7. Rate Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did. (Can only be used as one entry per give-away.)

8. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

9. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

10. Write a review for Mommy Ramblings on Alexa.com (button is on our blog right under the We’re on the Fence button) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

Good Luck Everyone!!!  Give Away Ends December 14th at 12am EST.   Winner will be selected by Random.org.

If you have little boys and are looking for an original gift this holiday season, you will be very interested in Boysterous Action Figures.  Boysterous is a new line of action figures from Manhattan Toy.  These little boys are on the move just like real boys, they have possible arms and legs that allow them to hold realistic positions.  Their magnetic feet and hands allow them to be posed and played with realistically.  We were sent Slope Shreddin’ Sean for review.  Sean is a rad snowboarder, who is all decked out in his green plaid hoodie, pants and black snowboard boots that have magnetic bottoms to hold him secure to his snowboard.  With his feet firmly planted on the board and his adjustable body, your little boy will have him doing all kinds of break neck stunts.   My 4-year-old loves this little guy and was so excited when he saw he had magnetic feet.  With little ones, it can be so hard when action figures need to be propped or need adult skill to get them to stand or move realistically.  With Boysterous their magnetics make it easy for little hands to put them in a pose and they will stay there.  Boysterous is not a toy that will leave your child frustrated or calling for you to keep fixing something.  There are other four other boys in the Boysterous line and your son will want to collect them all.  You can find Halfpipe Pete, Touchdown Dillon, Goalie Gavin and Slap Shot Sam.

Mommy Ramblings thinks these Boysterous Action Figures make great gifts so we are adding them to our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide.

Manhattan Toy is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win their own Boysterous Slope Shreddin’ Sean.  Thank you Manhattan Toy for the review Sean and for sponsoring this great give-away on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US and Canadian residents.

Manhattan Toy Boysterous Action Figure Slope Shreddin’ Sean Give-Away on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Mandatory Entry- Visit Manhattan Toy, and let me know something else you like. Leave your answer as a comment on this blog post.  (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted.)

Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook, and leave me a comment here that you did.

2.Like Manhattan Toy on Facebook, leave a comment on their wall about this give-away and leave me a comment here that you did

3. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

4. Follow Manhattan Toy on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

5. Follow Mommy Ramblings by email, and leave me a comment here that you did.

6. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.  You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

7. Rate Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

8. Write a review for Mommy Ramblings on Alexa.com (button is on our blog right under the We’re on the Fence button) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

9. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

10. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

Good Luck Everyone!!!  Give Away Ends December 11th at 12am EST.   Winner will be selected by Random.org.

My two-year-old son Luke has a love for oven mitts as strange as that may sound.  It all started with a Melissa & Doug red and white checked oven mitt he got in his slice and bake cookie set last Christmas.  He would wear that oven mitt around all the time.  He is such a funny kid.  He has a few others and I knew when I was asked to select something from Social Couture, that he would just love the Kids Snowman Printed Apron & Mitt.  I was not wrong and he could not wait to get it on when I showed it to him.  We do a lot of baking and crafts in our house so this set is so festive and useful around the holidays.  The set is great quality and very nicely detailed.  A set like this makes baking even more fun for kids.

Social Couture is an on-line store for home decor and entertaining products.  They provide imaginative party decorations and inspired tabletop ideas, so that throwing a festive party needn’t be such a production and an expense for their customers. Their single, pre-packaged goal is to deliver a high quality themed party complete with decorations to centerpieces to napkins & plates in an effort to simplify and elevate their customer’s lives. Social Couture also offers a wide variety of other high end party supply products from dinnerware, glasses, flatware and votives to music and unique entertaining products.  The goal of Social Couture is to be the one stop party store for the modern and upwardly mobile, on-line consumer.

Mommy Ramblings thinks Social Couture is such a great place to shop to help you with your holiday gatherings that we are adding them to our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide.

Great news, Social Couture is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win the same Kids Snowman Printed Apron & Mitt.  Thank you Social Couture for the review Apron & Mitt and for sponsoring this awesome give-away on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US and Canadian residents.

Social Couture, Kids Snowman Printed Apron & Mitt Set Give-Away on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Mandatory Entry- Visit Social Couture, and let me know something else you like. Leave your answer as a comment on this blog post.  (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted.)

Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook, and leave me a comment here that you did.

2.Like Social Couture on Facebook, leave a comment on their wall about this give-away and leave me a comment here that you did

3. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

4. Follow Social Couture on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

5. Follow Mommy Ramblings by email, and leave me a comment here that you did.

6. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.  You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

7. Rate Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

8. Write a review for Mommy Ramblings on Alexa.com (button is on our blog right under the We’re on the Fence button) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

9. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

10. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

Good Luck Everyone!!!  Give Away Ends December 10th at 12am EST.   Winner will be selected by Random.org.

I recently received a Misto Gourmet Olive Oil Sprayer from Lifetime Brands for review.  The Misto is super easy to use.  You just add your favorite oil and pump it a few times and then you can spray it on pasta, pizza, vegetables, salads and more.  You can use it for grilling, roasting, sautéing, and non-stick cooking.  Now you can rid your kitchen of those commercial cooking sprays that contain inferior quality oils, chemicals and propellants.  With the Misto you add your high quality oil and that is all, you also just refill and reuse the Misto again and again so it is environmentally and economically friendly.  With Misto you will have less fat, fewer calories and more flavor in your food.

The Misto makes a great gift for the Foodie or Master Chef in your life.  Mommy Ramblings is adding Misto to our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide.

Lifetime Brands is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win their own Misto Gourmet Olive Oil Sprayer.  Thank you Lifetime Brands for the review Misto and for sponsoring this great give-away on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Misto Gourmet Olive Oil Sprayer Give-Away on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Mandatory Entry- Visit Lifetime Brands, and let me know another product you like. Leave your answer as a comment on this blog post.  (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted.)

Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook, and leave me a comment here that you did.

2.Like Lifetime Brands on Facebook, leave a comment on their wall about this give-away and leave me a comment here that you did

3. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

4. Follow Lifetime Brands on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

5. Follow Mommy Ramblings by email, and leave me a comment here that you did.

6. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.  You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

7. Rate Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

8. Write a review for Mommy Ramblings on Alexa.com (button is on our blog right under the We’re on the Fence button) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

9. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

10. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

Good Luck Everyone!!!  Give Away Ends December 14th at 12am EST.   Winner will be selected by Random.org.

I have a huge passion for photography.  I have not studied photography in any formal sense and I am mostly self-taught.  I have had the opportunity to learn a lot from great photographers and from books, tutorials, and online resources.  I was recently given the opportunity to review Kristen Duke’s, “Say No to Auto” 3 Basic Steps To Understanding Manual Camera Settings.  I know through other photography related give-aways here on Mommy Ramblings, that many of you are just getting into photography.  I know using manual setting on your camera can be intimidating for a novice, but if you really want to take your passion to the next level, you need to understand and master manual settings.

Kristen’s book is a very concise spiral bound 17 page guide to understanding why and how to use the manual settings on your camera.  She takes you through the three basic steps to understanding manual settings: determine your ISO, identify your aperture, and adjust your shutter speed.  Through the next few pages of the book, she guides you through the things you need to identify to adjust these settings for the perfect shot.  While you are learning this book is a great resource that you can carry in your camera bag for a refresher any time you need it.  For instance page 6 lists 13 different situations and the ISO that would be best for that shot.  Then she will help you learn to adjust your aperture based on how many people are in the shot.  This is an easy way to understand this setting that can seem confusing when most of the explanations you will find on determining aperture, highlight the size of the lens opening.  Kristen guides you through the aperture settings in an easy to comprehend way and also has a quick guide that you can use while learning.  Last, she tackles how to adjust your shutter speed.  Then there are photo examples of different settings in multiple lighting situations you will encounter.  The visual examples clearly illustrate how the manual settings used produced the photo shown.

I really feel this short book provides the essential keys to determining how to adjust your manual setting in an easy to understand format.  Even the person who has never shot in manual will feel ready to tackle the challenge.  This book makes an excellent stocking stuffer for the aspiring photographer or goes great with a gift of a new DSLR Camera.  Mommy Ramblings is adding this helpful book to our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide.

Kristen Duke is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win their own copy of, “Say No To Auto” 3 Basic Steps To Understanding Manual Camera Settings.  Thank you Kristen Duke for the review book and for sponsoring this awesome give-away on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US and Canadian residents.

“Say No To Auto” 3 Basic Steps To Understanding Manual Camera Settings Book by Kristen Duke Give-Away on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Mandatory Entry- Let me know your greatest challenge when shooting in manual.  Leave your answer as a comment on this blog post.  (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted.)

Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook, and leave me a comment here that you did.

2.Like Kristen Duke Photography on Facebook, leave a comment on their wall about this give-away and leave me a comment here that you did

3. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

4. Follow Mommy Ramblings by email, and leave me a comment here that you did.

5. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.  You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

6. Rate Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

7. Write a review for Mommy Ramblings on Alexa.com (button is on our blog right under the We’re on the Fence button) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

8. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

9. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

Good Luck Everyone!!!  Give Away Ends December 14th at 12am EST.   Winner will be selected by Random.org.

I recently had the opportunity to review a pair of sunglasses from Sunglass Warehouse.  They carry a huge selection of sunglasses for men, women and kids.  After doing a lot of browsing through their immense selection, I choose the Women’s Rimless Aviator Style in gray with rose lenses.  They arrived very quickly after ordering them and they were in great condition and fit well.  I liked the look but felt they did not look like the color in the picture, the gray frames appeared darker as did the lenses.  I still liked the combination but I was just surprised given the picture on the Website.

Sunglass Warehouse makes selecting and ordering your sunglasses much easier as they have just  launched “choosing sunglasses based on your skin tones“, and “choosing sunglasses for your face shape“, as well. Sunglass Warehouse has a great selection of  kids’ aviator sunglasses, round sunglasses, polarized sunglasses, motorcycle sunglasses and so much more.

SW Rimless Aviator Style #8334

The perfect pair of glasses for those who don’t want bulky, oversized styles, our SW Rimless Aviator Style #8334 has modern styling for a great look. These lightweight sunglasses have a sleek metal frame, and rimless lenses with UV400 sun protection.

Sunglass Warehouse is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win a $20 Gift Certificate to Sunglass Warehouse.  Thank you Sunglass Warehouse for the review sunglasses and for sponsoring this awesome give-away on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Sunglass Warehouse$20 Gift Certificate Give-Away on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Mandatory Entry- Visit Sunglass Warehouse, and let me know a pair of sunglasses you like. Leave your answer as a comment on this blog post.  (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted.)

Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook, and leave me a comment here that you did.

2.Like Sunglass Warehouse on Facebook, leave a comment on their wall about this give-away and leave me a comment here that you did

3. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

4. Follow Sunglass Warehouse on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

5. Follow Mommy Ramblings by email, and leave me a comment here that you did.

6. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.  You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

7. Rate Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

8. Write a review for Mommy Ramblings on Alexa.com (button is on our blog right under the We’re on the Fence button) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

9. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

10. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

Good Luck Everyone!!!  Give Away Ends December 14th at 12am EST.   Winner will be selected by Random.org.

Looking for something for your furry family members for the holidays?  Let me tell you about a great shop on Etsy that makes custom pet i.d. tags that are unique and gorgeous.  Melissa Gilkey is the owner and artist behind Doggone Tags and she graciously sent me a custom tag for our American Bulldog, Delilah. She put her name on the front and our phone number on the back.  I just received it and it is so nice.  Very high quality and very unique.  Everyone I showed it to loved it and wanted to know where I got it.  If you want a great gift for your pet or a gift for a pet lover then check out Doggone Tags on Etsy.  You will be very glad you did.

Mommy Ramblings thinks Doggone Tags are such a great gift idea for our four legged friends we are adding them to our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide!!!

Delilah wanted to sleep on the couch and not model.

I have great news!  Doggone Tags is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win the pet i.d. tag of their choice.  Thank you Doggone Tags for the review tag and for sponsoring this great give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  Open to US and Canadian residents.

Doggone Tags Custom Pet I.D. Tag Give-Away on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Mandatory Entry- Visit Doggone Tags, and let me a style of tag you like. Leave your answer as a comment on this blog post.  (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted.)

Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook, and leave me a comment here that you did.

2.Like Doggone Tags on Facebook, leave a comment on their wall about this give-away and leave me a comment here that you did

3. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

4. Follow Mommy Ramblings by email, and leave me a comment here that you did.

5. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.  You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

6. Rate Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

7. Write a review for Mommy Ramblings on Alexa.com (button is on our blog right under the We’re on the Fence button) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

8. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

9. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

Good Luck Everyone!!!  Give Away Ends December 13th at 12am EST.   Winner will be selected by Random.org.

Want to pamper your feet?  The Microplane XL Pro Foot File can get your feet baby soft the first time you use it.  The Microplane® Foot File uses a variation of the Microplane® Grater technology which allows you to zest an orange (skimming off the tough zest) and leaving the soft pith. In a similar (yet gentler) process on your foot, the dead skin comes right off, leaving the baby soft skin below. The XL Pro,  features larger, REPLACEABLE filing and buffing cartridges, a longer handle, and a skin receptacle designed as part of the handle. Its tiny files work to massage more skin area at once and also prolong the life of each blade compared to the orb or paddle style Foot Files. The curved, extended reach handle is easily positioned to lessen stress and strain as you access the bottom of your foot.

I bet you are probably wondering if this hurts?  It doesn’t, it feels like a foot massage and it does not take weeks to work like creams do.  If you have not been giving your feet the attention they deserve, you should definitely get a Microplane XL Pro and pencil them in for some foot time.  Your feet will thank you for it.

Product Includes

• Foot File Handle with built-in skin receptacle.
• One replaceable FILING cartridge
• One replaceable BUFFING cartridge
• Clear Cap
• Suede Carrying Bag
• instructions

I have wanted to try a ceramic curling iron so I was thrilled when Flat Iron Experts sent me their BaByliss Pro Ceramic Curling Iron to review. Ceramic creates a shiny, smooth finish and emits negative ions which smooth hair. This iron renews and revitalizes hairs shine. and generates far infrared heat to protect hair’s luster. One iron can handle all hair types, from fragile, thin hair to wavy thick hair.

Features

• 6 barrel sizes available
• Hot in less than 30 seconds up to 390°F (195°C)
• Adjustable “electronic” temperature control, 30 heat setting
• Even and constant heat
• CERAMIC closes the hair cuticle resulting in smooth, glossy hair.
• CERAMIC plus heat emits NEGATIVE IONS which eliminate static electricity and neutralize odors and bacteria.
• CERAMIC barrels retain heat more efficiently, distribute it more evenly and eliminate damaging hot spots.
• CERAMIC radiates faster drying FAR-INFRARED HEAT, which dries hair from the inside out, preserving more moisture within the hair shaft and causing less damage to the hair cuticle.
• Dual Voltages for worldwide use
• Extra long, heavy duty swivel cord
• Two year warranty

My views-  This curling iron is great because of the versatility of all the heat settings and the long wire that does not get twisted.  It works super fast to curl my hair in seconds.  The one thing I wish it had, is a bigger cool touch area on the top because I have come very close to burning my fingers.  If it had that, I would give it a perfect 10 because I love everything else about it.  I am sure it will just take some getting used to and I will be able to manage it without my fingers accidentally grabbing the iron and not the cool touch top.  I am willing to try, because I love the way it works and how it styles my hair.