Tweens and Teens

Holiday Gift Guide-Dell Inspiron R Series Laptops-Giveaway-CLOSED

December 20, 2011 By Kathryn 515 Comments

Holiday Gift for Families

Every once in a while, a person wants to give a gift that leaves that special someone speechless. And if you have a computer user in the household, you’ll find getting the reaction you want has never been easier thanks to Dell Canada and the company’s ingenious and customizable Dell Inspiron R Series laptops.

The Dell Inspiron R Series is sleek, functional and unbelievably beautiful. The highlight of this whole series is, for me, its customizability. With a choice of 22 SWITCH by Design Studio lid patterns and 3 SWITCH by Design Studio lid colours, your laptop can be as stylish and original as you are! My personal favourite is the Horizontal Pink lid; I adore the feminine colours and sleek stripes! But if you prefer trendy geometric art, bold black and white patterns or even just a solid red, blue or black lid, there’s a SWITCH lid for you too!

The stylish exterior is only the beginning of the features that the Inspiron R Series offers, however. For the ultimate entertainment experience, the Inspiron R laptops offer Wireless Display, which lets you wirelessly project HD video and surround sound to your home theatre. And Dell’s incredibly popular Dell Stage software lets you enjoy convenient, one-click access to your photos, movies, music and more!

Now of course, functionality is just as important as style and entertainment for a dedicated computer user, and the Dell Inspiron R Series offers lots of that too thanks to a 2nd gen Intel Core i3 CPU and hard drives of up to 750 GB! And because Dell knows that every customer is unique, there are tons of hardware customization options for the Inspiron R Series computers so that everyone can have the laptop that’s perfect for them!

Optional upgrades include fun features like an internal Blu-ray drive and power-boosting options such as the Intel Core i7 Quad Core processor for the ultimate performance! I’ll have a detailed review of the Dell Inspiron 15R in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, why not check out the Dell Canada Facebook page for all the latest product info and promotions from Dell Canada? Or send a Tweet to @dellhomesalesca to learn what computer might be best for you and your family!

Dell Canada knows that you are going to love the new redesigned Inspiron R Series laptops, so they are giving one incredibly lucky Mommy Kat and Kids reader the chance to win their very own Dell Inspiron 15R laptop computer and two extra switch lids! This is a giveaway you will NOT want to miss, so check out all the details and enter below!

The Dell Inspiron R laptops can be purchased at www.dell.ca and with prices starting at just $499, the Inspiron R Series is a great economical computer choice as well. The Dell Inspiron R Series is designed to be the perfect multi-functional family computer and is definitely a gift that will wow the lucky recipient. Check out these stylish and powerful laptops for yourself today!

ARV: $499-$649

Holiday Gift Guide-Maximum Family Games My First Trainz Set for PC

December 18, 2011 By Kathryn 2 Comments

Holiday Gift for Kids

One of the best-received gifts in most families with school-aged or older children has to be video games. And for games that are fun, educational and family friendly, Maximum Family Games has some great choices this holiday season! Whether you’re looking for a fun new family game for your favourite gaming system or a great computer game to enjoy, Maximum Family Games is sure to have something for you.

my first trainz set box art

We received the PC game My First Trainz Set to review and I was so excited to see what it was like! This game is a model train-lover’s dream come true. Zackary has always liked trains, though not quite as much as cars, and he was eager to see what he could do with the game.

What I loved most about My First Trainz Set is that it wasn’t competitive. Zackary has a bit of an obsession with winning and being first right now, so I really don’t like him playing games in which there is a “winner” since he tends to get way too agitated. My First Trainz Set was the ideal choice for him! Zackary could choose between building tracks around four different rooms or driving one of nine different trains ranging from classic steam engines to modern bullet trains. After watching him for a while, my husband became equally intrigued with the game and sat down with Zackary to build a track.

my first trainz set screenshot

The tracks can be built using objects in the room as landscape or obstacles for the train, so the possibilities really are limitless. Whether you’re running tracks across the bed or using books to make a tunnel, your train’s path can be as simple or complex as you choose! This type of building suits my husband perfectly and he had a great time creating tracks for Zackary’s trains.

My First Trainz Set would make a wonderful gift for any school-aged child and would even be a fun choice for a model train collector on your list! And if you’re looking for something different, Maximum Family Games has plenty of other great computer and video games for children too! My First Trainz Set and other Maximum Family Games titles are available at retailers across North America and can also be purchased online on the Maximum Family Games site. Check out the titles for yourself and enjoy some fun family entertainment on Christmas morning!

ARV: $19.99-$29.99

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Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide, Infants and Children, Reviews, Tweens and Teens Tagged With: computer games, maximum family games, my first trainz set, pc games, train set games, train simulator, video games

Holiday Gift Guide-Dane-Elec Marvel Classic Heroes USB Drives

December 17, 2011 By Kathryn Leave a Comment

Holiday Stocking Stuffer for Boys

If you have a boy that uses a USB drive for schoolwork, transporting photos or anything else, you may already know about some of the fun new kid-friendly designs available in the world of USB storage. This Christmas, Dane-Elec is offering a brand new 4GB USB drive that is specially designed for boys and it’s sure to be a hit with any superhero-loving kid in the house!

dane-elec marvel classic heroes usb drives

The new Marvel Classic Heroes USB Drives from Dane-Elec are the ultimate super-USB! The drives are actually figurines of Marvel superheroes with a retractable USB drive so that your favourite hero can keep an eye on all those important articles! Boys can choose from Spiderman, Iron Man and Wolverine characters. Best of all, every USB drive comes with a one-month subscription to Marvel Digital Comics, a huge Marvel Comics cover gallery, exclusive Marvel wallpapers and desktop icons!

We received the Iron Man Marvel Classic Heroes USB Drive to review and it really is an ingenious little device. My son has recently become infatuated with Iron Man after watching a few cartoons featuring the heroic Marvel character. He loved having his very own Iron Man figurine and while he is a little young to use a USB drive on his own, we have been spending time together looking through the comics and showing Zackary how a USB drive works.

Dane-Elec Marvel Classic Heroes USB Drives can be purchased at select retailers and online, and would make a great stocking stuffer for an older boy or a comic fan on your shopping list. Check them out for yourself today and enjoy tons of great Marvel Comics content and a very cool USB drive!

ARV: $19.99

Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide, Reviews, Tweens and Teens Tagged With: dane-elec, dane-elec marvel, iron man, marvel, marvel classic heroes, marvel heroes, usb drive, usb drives

Holiday Gift Guide-Tonka XT Ricochet Stunt Pro R/C

December 16, 2011 By Kathryn 4 Comments

Holiday Gift for Older Boys

There are plenty of choices when it comes to buying a remote control vehicle for the holidays but to really impress a child, check out the fabulous Tonka XT Ricochet Stunt Pro R/C! This amazing remote control vehicle uses the same double-sided flip technology as Tonka’s popular Bounce Back Racer, but this is a whole new level of remote control action!

tonka xt ricochet stunt pro rc

The first thing that really sets the Tonka XT Ricochet Stunt Pro apart is its Replay Button. By pressing the red button on the top left side of the controller while driving, you can save your coolest stunts. Then you can replay them by pressing the red button in the centre of the controller!

The tough look and fast speed of the Tonka XT are a bit part of its appeal as well, and with the digital precision steering and the ability to flip the vehicle over , busting wild tricks is fun and easy! Best of all, with the included rechargeable battery pack, the fun can keep going and going.

The tires on the Ricochet Stunt Pro are fairly soft, but because of the speed and power of the vehicle I would definitely not recommend it for areas with fragile objects nearby. We tested out the remote control car in our basement playroom, which has a heavy-duty carpet and unfinished walls, and the open space and low-pile carpet were the perfect combination for getting some really cool moves with the Ricochet Stunt Pro. The whole family had a blast trying to create the coolest tricks and then replaying them again and again!

The Tonka XT Ricochet Stunt Pro R/C vehicle is available at toy stores and mass merchandise stores across North America so check the website for a retailer near you. It would make a great gift for an older boy or even a young-at-heart adult! With a recommended age of eight years or older, it’s not a beginner’s vehicle, but it is definitely a ton of fun! Check it out for yourself today and satisfy your child’s need for speed on Christmas morning!

ARV: $79.99

Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide, Men, Reviews, Tweens and Teens Tagged With: hasbro, hasbro canada, remote control vehicles, ricochet, ricochet remote control, ricochet stunt pro, tonka, tonka xt, tonka xt ricochet stunt pro

Holiday Gift Guide-Hard Candy Limited Edition Holiday Cosmetic Sets

December 12, 2011 By Kathryn 8 Comments

Holiday Gift for Teen Girls and Women

Looking for a fun gift that’s sure to be a hit with the ladies in your life? Whether you need one or two more stocking stuffers for your teenage daughter or a special gift for your best friend, Hard Candy has what you want at an unbeatable price!

Hard Candy is a hugely popular brand among cosmetics lovers and the company’s high-quality makeup at fabulously low prices lets any woman easily release her inner diva. Hard Candy has some great gift sets available for the holidays and there really is something for everyone!

hard candy hall of fame train case

For that special friend, go all out with the stunning Hard Candy Hall of Fame Train Case. Containing bronzer, blush, gloss, liner, primer, eyeshadows, a mirror and a makeup brush in a classy train case, it’s a steal of a deal at only $20 and a great way to let a special woman feel extra pampered.

Or if stocking stuffers are what you have been searching for, check out the cute Hard Candy holiday sets of nail polish, lip gloss and eyeliner, all available for between four and five dollars! My personal favourite is the lovely 4 Piece Take Me Out Eyeliner Set. With four bright and beautiful eyeliner pencils in festive colours and a handy sharpener, it’s a fun way to add sparkle to a holiday look for a great price! For the perfect finishing touch, grab a sweet Flavoured Lip Gloss Ring or Nail Polish with Heart Ring for only a dollar!

hard candy take me out four piece holiday eyeliner set

The colours in all of these limited edition holiday sets are bold, sparkling and sure to create a hot holiday look. Hard Candy Limited Edition Holiday Sets are available exclusively at Walmart, so check them out for yourself and give the gift of festive beauty without spending a fortune!

ARV: $1-$20

Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide, Reviews, Tweens and Teens, Women Tagged With: cosmetic set, cosmetics, hard candy, hard candy cosmetics, hard candy holiday set, hard candy makeup, holiday makeup set, makeup

Holiday Gift Guide-Petite Tuques Hand-Knitted Hats, Mittens and Scarves

December 7, 2011 By Kathryn Leave a Comment

Holiday Gift for Teens

There is nothing I love more than handmade gifts, even if I’m not the one that makes them. In fact, I love buying handmade products because not only is the item a very special, one-of-a-kind gift but I get a chance to support a talented local crafter or artist at the same time! This year, I learned about Petite Tuques, a fabulous online boutique based in Quebec, Canada featuring gorgeous hand-knitted hats, mittens and scarves for everyone from infants to adults. The pieces were just the type of thing that I always fall in love with and I was delighted when I got to review a pair of Adult Long Cuff Knitted Mittens.

petite tuques adult long cuff mittens

These stylish mittens are made for warmth and in Canada, that’s always a priority! Unlike store-bought mittens, my Petite Tuques mittens were long, almost up to my elbows when I pulled them up! But they also slid up and created a cute slouchy look on my wrists if I preferred that as well.

The red mittens I received used a fairly bright red contrasted with a deep burgundy. I couldn’t believe how warm they kept my hands when I headed outside and the merino wool that was used to make them was so incredibly soft! I’m not a fan of coarse wool or yarn so these mittens were perfect for me!

A pair of Petite Tuques mittens would make a great gift for a teenager or young adult that prides themselves on a funky, original fashion sense and would also be a good gift for anyone with a love of handmade products. And if toques or scarves are more your style, Petite Tuques has those as well so that you can outfit your entire family for the winter in hand-knitted, one of a kind style! There are even too-cute elf toques for babies! Check out the shop for yourself and give a gift that is as beautiful and original as the person receiving it!

ARV: $45

Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide, Reviews, Tweens and Teens Tagged With: etsy, etsy shops, hand knitted, hand-knitted mittens, handmade, handmade touques, petite tuques, petite tuques knitting, scarves, touques

Holiday Gift Guide-Life is good Clothing

December 5, 2011 By Kathryn Leave a Comment

Holiday Gift for the Whole Family

People may joke about giving clothing as a gift during the holidays, but when it’s really great clothing, it can be the best gift ever. And no company understands great clothing more than Life is good.

life is good enjoy the ride sleep set

Life is good is NOT your typical clothing company. The focus isn’t on trendy fashions or mass-produced designs. The brand very much lives by its name by promoting optimism, humour and humility in all of its designs, and the result is clothing with a comfortable faux-vintage charm that the whole family will love.

From skirts to sweats and products for dad or for the family dog, Life is good is sure to have a gift for every member of the family. My personal favourite is the sleepwear. The designs are cheerfully charming and the jammies are made from 100% cotton so you can be sure they’re incredibly comfortable. My son received the adorable Enjoy the Ride sleep set and it quickly became his favourite sleepwear.

The pyjamas are nice and snug without being too tight like some other brands we have purchased, and the soft cotton is just incredible. I love the message on the pyjamas, and Zackary loves the cool old truck!

Life is good also has great choices for the adults on your list, and they go far beyond pyjamas! What woman wouldn’t love this adorable sleigh hat lined with ultra-soft faux fur? Warm, comfortable and completely cute, it’s my favourite winter headgear and if it doesn’t match my outfit, who cares? There are even Life is good coffee mugs for that first hot beverage on Christmas morning!

life is good sleigh hat

Life is good products can be purchased at select stores throughout North America and are also available to buy online at www.lifeisgood.com. A quirky t-shirt or cozy sleep pants from Life is good would make a great gift for almost anyone on your holiday list and the company’s simple message of optimism is sure to start Christmas morning off with a smile. Check out the selection for yourself and see which item has you proclaiming, ‘Life is good!”

ARV: $12-$46

Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide, Infants and Children, Men, Reviews, Tweens and Teens, Women Tagged With: enjoy the ride sleep set, life is good, life is good clothing, life is good reviews, life is good sleepwear, life is good sleigh hat

Holiday Gift Guide-Rubik’s Race Board Game-Giveaway-CLOSED

December 4, 2011 By Kathryn 76 Comments

Holiday Gift For Children and Adults

We all remember the classic Rubik’s Cube, the fun, frustrating and addictively awesome toy that first launched in 1980. Well for those of use that find the regular Rubik’s Cube more anger inducing than entertaining, there’s a new variation of the game that anyone can enjoy! Rubik’s Race is the fun new two-person game that takes the Rubik’s Cube to a whole new level.

rubik's race

The concept is simple. A cube filled with nine coloured squares called a Scrambler is shaken and then set down on the table. Opponents face off head-to-head and race to match the pattern of squares inside the Scrambler by sliding their own coloured squares around in the five-by-five grid in the same manner as a sliding square puzzle (often referred to as a 15-puzzle). The first one to complete the puzzle by matching the inner nine squares flips down the centre divider over their squares and yells, “I am the Rubik’s Race Champion!”

Okay, I made that last part up, though my husband and I have been using that phrase when we play! The game is fun, fast-paced and best of all, it’s appropriate for all different skill levels! The recommended age is 5+ so even my youngest son has been having some fun testing his skills, though he does need a little bit of help occasionally! If you so desire, you can even play by yourself and use a timer to try to beat your previous best times!

This game really is a brain twister, but fortunately, it’s easy to match people of similar skill levels to make it interesting for everyone. And it’s a great way to build concentration and logic skills! Rubik’s Race is available at major retailers throughout Canada. So check the game out for yourself and have fun as a family battling with Rubik’s Race!

ARV: $19.99