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Reviews

#ToyFair 2010 Survival Guide for Bloggers

by admin on February 9, 2010

Today I am taking time out from my regularly scheduled snark and sarcasm and bringing you something a little different- a whimsical- yet extremely helpful guide to Toy Fair 2010.

I know many of you are not in the NYC area and may be sitting there thinking “What the Honey is Toy Fair?”

Well … its a fair– with A LOT of toys (aren’t you glad I cleared that up for you?)

Ok, ok it not a fair of just any toys- its chock filled with the latest and greatest toys hitting the market this year! Practically every toy brand is either exhibiting or holding events around Toy Fair to show off their hot new toys (if you can’t make it- no worries. The Big Toy Book & I will be covering it live on their blog!)

Between trying to schedule appointments at this monstrous sized event and the registration process that kind of (definitely) confused a lot of first time blogger attendees (myself included)… I’ve been emailing my contact at The Toy Industry Association EVERY day, asking LOTS of questions (cause I’m sure she has lots of down time this time of year… and I wanted to keep her on her toes ;) ).

After much harassment correspondence, my TIA friend sat down and put together a few tips that she thought might be helpful for first time Toy Fair-ers; which I thought was brilliant! … but of course I could not post it without sprinkling just a dusting of my whimsical ways… Enjoy!

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A few months ago, The Complicated kidlets and I were invited to a comedy event in NYC sponsored by a company I had not heard of- EVER, The Tommee Tippee Company.

In short, Tommee Tippee manufactures baby and toddler bottles and leakproof sippy cups. Though I had never tried a Tommee Tippee cup, in my 4+years of parenting I can say generally speaking we go through sippy cups like crazy in this house- because even the leakproof ones leak (especially when filled with milk and tossed in my handbag) and their “leakproof” devices end up getting GROSS to the point- I wouldn’t even allow a dog sippy from the cup.

So the day came- I got up a little skeptical of leak poof promises- but hopeful that Tommee Tippee would prove me wrong. I got the kidlets ready in their most adorable outfits. Paired up a cute dress with leggings for myself and added some hot mama boots that had been collecting dust for fun. (what? I don’t get out often!) Packed up the car- and  headed towards “The Big Apple”.

And then the light came on.

The same light that I had told Mr.Complicated about over 2 weeks ago. “Air pressure low”

After days of waiting, I had assumed my words had fallen on deaf ears. So, I decided to do the independent woman thing. Drove it to a gas station and filled it up myself.  Apparently when I did this, Mr.Complicated noticed the light went off and assumed the car magically fixed itself- cause you know, cars often do that… and well you know what they say about couples who ASSUME right?

So once again, I pulled into the gas station- this time with heels and a dress coat & began to fill up the tire… til’ a nice man came over and offered to help me (eh-hem! you hear that Mr.Complicated? … a male stranger came to the rescue of your wife, who by the way was lookin’ hot!)

When my tire fixin’ hero told me the tire was once again filled- I pull back on to the road, still unsure of if the tire was actually fixed or if the man was just admiring my…  boots.  I start imagining the possibilities of the tire going flat on the West Side Highway- or worse- The Lincoln Tunnel?! What would I do?  I hadn’t gotten the Tire Hero’s number- I’m a married woman! …((gasp!)) What if my phone went dead?…I couldn’t even call AAA… which we don’t even have….  It would be both comical and tragic- but it would definitely not be pretty. So I had to ultimately make the decision to turn around.

I was sad.

Not just because of the tire that wasn’t fixed, or because the only person who got to see my hot boots was Mr. Tire Hero… but because dammit! I had dreams of discovering a sippy cup that wasn’t going to make my bag smell like sour milk!

((Here comes the product review))

Then a few weeks ago, I got an email from the people at Tommee Tippee offering to send me some cups to review with my daughter. They sent me these 2 cups from their Explora line:

explora® truly spill proof trainer

explora® truly spill proof drink cup

And now that I have had about 2 weeks to try them, and really test them in every possibly scenario, I am here to tell all of you Complicated Mama’s who, like me have spent too long fighting with a sippy cup and with knock-off designer handbags that have the unique fragrence of sour milk  & just a hint of apple juice….. that there is hope!… The Tommee Tippee is the leakproof sippy we’ve been seeking.

Seriously.

The trainer cup has a cap on it that actually WORKS. The leak proof devices inside of the cup are so easy to clean… and my carpet hasn’t had one stain added to it from Princess throwing her drink down when she’s had enough- in weeks!…. oh! and its BPA free! … and can be found at your local Babies R Us! Whoo hoo!

And there you have it folks!.. its been a long journey (and post) to my discovery of the ultimate spill proof sippy… but a las- I’ve found it- and now, you have all  officially been given the memo.

*Full Disclosure: I was provided product for this review. However the thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. … And yes, I am possibly considering a marriage  proposal from Tommee because he has answered my leaking sippy cup prayers and more importantly keeps my handbags smelling like the fine-sweet fashion accessories they are … while Mr. Complicated doesn’t fix my tires and makes me miss fun events. (Just kidding hun! — I forgive you… This time.)

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Brace yourself: The 5 second rule is a myth!

February 2, 2010

Heartbreaking news isn’t it? … but its ok. I have a giveaway at the end that will make it all better.

Last week I was invited to participate in a web conference for Clorox with comedian and Daily Show correspondent, Samantha Bee to discuss the 5 second rule. The rule- that I knew- was never the best parenting practice, but practiced anyway because there was no proof… until now.

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Warming up for Disney World with Disney On Ice

January 22, 2010

Back in October at the Bloggers Brunch, I won the super fabulous grand prize, a trip to Orlando Florida!, courtesy of Orlando Travel & Visitors Bureau.

The package includes:
-round trip airfare
-2 nights at the Hyatt
-tickets to Seaworld, Gatorland & Busch Gardens
… but what would a trip to Orlando be without a visit to Mickey & Minnie’s [...]

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Pre-game the holidays with a good read & GIVEAWAY!!

November 12, 2009

CONGRATS @MrsLoulou!! She’s won both of these FABULOUS books!! :)
We read to our son every night. He cannot even sleep without his “Night Book”  and often pushes to “read just one more book”.  I can only hope that his love for books stays with him as he gets older.
Recently I was asked to review 2 [...]

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Gifts for Kids

November 1, 2009

Congrats to Jenn B. -who won our Leapster2 giveaway!!!

View my wish list on Wishpot &raquo

As you can see from my holiday list, Leapfrog is one of my favorite brands for educational toys (and no I am NOT ‘just saying that’… come visit our playroom)
The Leapster2 is one of my son’s favorite toys, which Santa brought [...]

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