2009 Mommy Brain Reports Moms & Dads Gift Guide

✔= Personally reviewed   ♥= Mom Owned Business

We’ll start with Moms!

EA SPORTS Active- Personal trainer and More Workouts!

I’ve had the pleasure of participating in both challenges for th

e EA SPORTS Active over this year, and I have to admit, the results have been fantastic. The first 30 Day Challenge earlier this year helped me lose two dress sizes, and now I’m working on the new 6 Week Challenge with More Workouts. If you have a Wii at home, and mom is looking for a way to get in shape and/or stay in shape, this is an excellent (and much less expensive) alternative to having a gym membership. plus the workouts are done on her time, and for about 30 mins per day… No press release on this one… I’ve experienced it, and think that everyone should really have it!

The Soap Florist Beautiful Handcrafted Soap Flowers for All Occasions

http://www.thesoapflorist.com/

We are a new company that handcrafts flowers made of soap. Our soap flowers look and smell realistic and are an earth friendly, cruelty free gift. Not only are they beautiful but they are useful too. They are made with a rich creamy, vegetable based soap that will leave your skin soft and moisturized.

FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $50.00! (Limited time only)

Prices vary, but are very reasonable!

I was sent one of their Rose Soaps to check out, and when I opened the box, it smelled just like a rose! It was awesome! It’s definitely something to check out!

Pomega5 offers an assortment of items that are appropriate for men and women alike, and since our products are entirely free of parabens, petrochemicals and synthetics, they are even 100% suitable for mothers-to-be and babies.The first line to address wellness through the skin, Pomega5 is a revolutionary system of pure, luxurious skin recipes based on biodynamic botanicals and rare Omega 5 oil extracted from pomegranate seeds. Using the purest, freshest bioactive ingredients derived wholly from nature, each Pomega5 product has been carefully formulated to reflect a balanced combination of essential fatty acids, botanical extracts and essential oils – completely without the use of any parabens, petrochemicals, or synthetics. Matched by none with respect to cleanliness and quality, we strive to create products that go beyond skin care to genuinely feed and nourish the body from the outside in.

www.pomega5.com

I was sent their Pomegranate Cleansing Bar to try out, and I loved the scent! I can’t say for sure, but it really seemed to make my skin feel softer too. I love that it’s ingredients are actually good for my skin too, rather than the  harsh chemicals you find in other facial cleansers that dry out my skin! Check out their other products too!

Isabelle Grace Jewelry (www.IsabelleGraceJewelry.com) is a beautiful, inspiring collection of personalized jewelry designed by artist Claudia Montez.  Each piece is made by hand, and crafted from sterling silver, 14 carat gold and semi-precious stones.  Personalization options include names, birth dates, wedding dates and personal messages. Isabelle Grace is a designer who’s creating quite the buzz around Hollywood as well as Mainstreet America with her personalized for mom (or grandma, aunt, etc.) jewelry collection.  Celebrity clientele include: Maxine Bahns (the Mentalist), Kim Paisley, Kristin Dos Santos, Tori Spelling, Alison Sweeney, Dominique Geisendorff, and Ana Ortiz who love to wear their kids names close to their heart with their IsabelleGraceJewelry mommy necklaces.

Featured in the photo is the just launched Script Name Charm Necklace, ordered by Ana Ortiz and Kristin Dos Santos.  Available at www.IsabelleGraceJewelry.com Price:  starts at $138.

Hot Lunch is the original date box company- date boxes are a new concept that we have developed to make going on a date a fresh and easy endeavor! This is a perfect gift for a new parent as they often don’t get the opportunity to go out on dates regularly, and many of our date boxes can be done in your very own home! Each date box comes with everything necessary to execute a fun, creative date which saves you time running around time picking up supplies or finding a babysitter. They have fun themes such as our ‘Mario & Luigi’ Italian date and ‘Starry Starry Night’ stargazing date and they make fantastic gifts! Their sassy packaging and fun ideas will keep everybody coming back for more! They retail for $39.95, which is so much less expensive than dinner and a movie, and they are much more fun! When else have you made gourmet pizza while wearing fake mustaches and using Italian pick-up lines? Check out our website at www.hotlunchdates.com to see more about our company and products. This is also the (only) location where date boxes can be purchased.

We were sent a “Mario & Luigi” hot lunch date to check out, and thought it was a great concept. We have hardly ever gotten out on a date, and something like this is a very neat idea! It totally takes the guesswork out of planning a fun date!

For the mom who loves to take pictures of her kids…

Corel Painter Essentials

Based on the world’s leading natural-media painting and illustration software, Corel Painter, Painter Essentials is an easy-to-use digital art studio that will let you turn a photo into a painting in as few as three mouse clicks. Moms can turn their photos into works of art to put up around the house, or they can help their children explore Painter Essentials’ 90 brushes and paper textures without the mess and expense of traditional art supplies. In addition, this program is a great way for moms and kids to create scrapbooks, paintings or other unique artwork to give as gifts to their loved ones during the holiday season.

I was sent a copy of Corel Painter Essentials, and I am sad to say I haven’t been able to try it out yet. My computer has been acting sassy and I haven’t been able to do much with it. I’m going to do some repairs over the holiday, and should be able to update soon. If it’s as awesome as it looks, we’ll be having some fun with it!

The Scandle Lotion Candle, is a candle that burns at 2 degrees above body temperature to produce a soothing oil for massage, manicures, pedicures, or as a daily moisturizer.  Made from 100% natural ingredients (including soy), The Scandle emits less soot and toxins into the environment than traditional parrafin candles.  Scandles feature refillable/reusable canisters and sustainable packaging.  Scandles have a retail price of $11.95 – $24.95 and can be purchased online or through one of our retailers http://www.abodycandle.com/stores.php

We were sent a sample Scandle to check out, and I’ve used it on my hubby… He was having some shoulder pain, so I used it to give him a quick massage. The Scandle we received was the calming one, and it smelled so nice. I loved that it wasn’t oily/greasy, and it wasn’t waxy either. It was kind of neat.. and it lasted a long time too.

Modern Meditations CD Collection:

First of its kind, new music collections aimed at introducing a modern perspective on “New Age” musical fare.

No pan flutes, no wind chimes allowed. Featuring the work of renowned producers from across the globe, “Modern Meditations” has transformed contemporary rock favorites into meditation music for the rock & roll generation. Shimmering rock guitars and warm percussion create lush soundscapes. While yoga, Pilates, and meditation have all entered the mainstream, the music has not. The “Modern Meditations” series aims to introduce an alternative to traditional new age fare to the growing modern rock audience.

Modern Meditations – Rock Goes Zen -Modern Classics -Rock Classics -Songs of the Beatles

Retail Price – $16.98 at www.modernmeditations.com

I was sent the CD collection, and have to admit, I loved listening to it while I was blogging. My girls went upstairs for some quiet time, and It was fun to hear a bunch of my favorite songs in a totally different style! It was nice to listen to something other than our children’s music too!

In these stressful times for people in all walks of life, “Your Present: A Half-Hour of Peace” lights the way. With a voice described as “liquid,” stress-relief expert Susie Mantell has created a uniquely personal relaxation experience.  Like an easy chair, Mantell’s exquisite narration gently supports, taking the worry out of sleepless nights, releasing layer-after-layer of tension. Gently soothing listeners into a soft, effortless oasis from a stressful schedule, or prelude to deep, restful sleep. In a world that often seems to spin too fast, drift into the quiet place where worries dissipate, where healing begins.  Slow down…just let go. [ For beginners and seasoned meditators alike.]

Online Gift Special: Buy 5-Get 1 FREE at www.relaxintuit.com

I was sent the CD to check out myself, and I did listen to it while working on this gift guide. I totally need to listen to it when I have time to just sit and do nothing though. From the sounds of it, it’s a great meditation sort of CD. Check it out!

Some Dad Stuff:

Golfing Dads:

Fore the Love of Golf, a Mesa-based company, has announced it is selling Christmas Tees, a unique golf-themed product made for the holidays. With a look similar to icicles hanging on the branches of the Christmas tree, Christmas Tees help holiday revelers express their “passion for the game during the holiday season.”

According to David Bond, president of Fore the Love of Golf, Christmas Tees have been used as ornaments by his family to decorate their Christmas trees for years. “We’re thrilled to launch a product that has been enjoyed by our family,” Bond, a low-handicap golfer, said of the specialty item, which is ideal for tree trimming golfers and lovers of the game.

Each package of 25 white Christmas Tee ornaments is presented with an attractive, descriptive header card, along with a hang hole stapled over the top of a re-sealable plastic bag.  The retail price of each package is $9.95. Orders are currently being accepted by calling Mr. Bond at (480) 338-5660 or by logging on to the Internet at www.foretheloveofgolf.com. Customers may also e-mail Bond at fore@foretheloveofgolf.com.

For the garage dad:

Dads all over the country will be receiving a variety of gifts for the holidays: the standard smoked pepperoni stick and cheese, the “unique” tie, and of course some sort of power tool.  Outside of the power tool, the rest really can’t be used in the long term or to handle multiple tasks, that is until SmartStraps.

SmartStraps is an innovative and patented tie-down product that can hold down any size load from a simple move, to large hauls and farm equipment to assisting with hunting gear. Offering more than 135 professional-grade products, SmartStraps continues to transform the tie-down category, making an age-old endeavor faster, easier and safer. SmartStraps products include tie-downs, tow-straps, bungee cords, tarp straps, hardware and accessories. These products are sold in retail outlets nationwide, including Target and Walmart.

For the Sports Dad:

Ballparks of America Map Baseball

*A map of America, featuring the most famous ballparks

*Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium, Camden Yards, Wrigley Field, Busch Stadium, Dodger Stadium, and many more… they’re all here

*Handmade

*Unique gloss wraparound artwork

*Includes Gift Box/Turf Base Stand

*$20 @ www.bergino.com

For Mom and/or Dad:

Cherished Voices is a Mom-owned business that allows people to record bedtime stories for their cherished children in their lives from wherever there is a phone.

No longer does a parent have to feel guilty because they can’t read a bedtime story to their son because of distance, divorce, detention, deployment or death.

Basically, a person purchases the gift pack, which includes a book and then calls a phone number to record their rendition of the book.

A little while later, a CD of the recording arrives that the child can listen to whenever their parent or grandparent isn’t around.

Even better: Not only does it give the child a life line to their family, but also a valued heirloom. One customer read “Twas The Night Before Christmas” and added personal memories of her own life growing up. How priceless is that?

The prices for each package range between $30 and $50 and can be purchased online at http://www.cherishedvoices.com

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