2012 Gift Guide: FRAAS Tech Gloves Review

So many of us have touch screen gadgets, from phones to ereaders, but it can be a hassle to use them during the winter since removal of outerwear like gloves and mittens is usually required to use them.  That's why I was so intrigued by the touch screen compatible gloves from FRAAS.  Being able to keep my fingers warm while still being able to use my cell phone?  I'm all over that!

I received a pair of style 060579 in camel to review.  Right away, I noticed the ruffle detail that give them a stylish look.  They fit perfectly and the ruffle also adds extra length so that the wrist portion is longer than other pairs of gloves I own.  I liked this feature because then it's less likely that part of my wrist will be exposed to cold air as I wear them out and about carrying things and picking up my toddler.  I think these will stay nicely tucked into my coat sleeves better. 

What makes these really special is the tech finger tips that you don't even see because they blend in with the glove so well, they are almost invisible.  I have no idea how or why these gloves work with my cell phone.  I just know they do, pretty neat!  I can dial, text, and do everything I normally do on my touch screen with these on.  As you can see from my picture, not even having a very dirty phone will affect them from working.  Just excuse that, I really should've wiped that off better before I took my pictures! 

I'd say the only drawback to these gloves is that the knit material is not especially thick.  On the really, really, icy cold windy days we get in the Midwest, I'll need to wear something with more insulation.  But then it's pretty unlikely I'll be outside long enough to make any phone calls so I think their handiness most of the time outweighs that.  I prefer lightweight knit gloves most of the time anyway.  This pair of gloves has a suggested retail of $30.  FRAAS gloves and their other collections can be found on their website, Amazon.com, and these retailers.


Disclosure: A complimentary review pair was provided.  The experiences and opinions related within are both personal and unbiased.

2012 Gift Guide: Chuggington DVD, Icy Escapades

With it getting dark so early and with the weather so cold, there is nothing we like more than snuggling together on the couch to watch a DVD together.  At this time of year we especially like seasonal titles and one new favorite we recently got to check out is the new Chuggington DVD, Ice Escapades.

Here's a little description about it:

Everyone’s favorite trainees come home for the holidays with a “flurry” of warm and wonderful episodes from the award-winning TV series.  In this traintastic new collection of cold-weather adventures, the crew takes to the tracks as snow and ice cover Chuggington.  With help from their fellow Chuggers, the trainees learn how to make brr-ave rescue missions, dig their way out of snow drifts and even take to the skies when the wintery winds lift Hodge from the rails!  Young viewers will share in all the winter-focused fun, while they learn important lessons about teamwork and problem-solving in the DVD’s six seasonal stories, which include “Chilly Chuggers,” “Snowstruck Wilson,” “Wilson’s Icy Escapade,” “Heave-Ho Harrison,” “Hodge Sails Away” and “Rolling Reporter Wilson.”

We've been fans of Chuggington ever since it made its US debut a couple of years ago on the Disney's Channel's Disney Junior.  The show is about three trainee engines and their adventures as they work to gain experience and knowledge on the rails.  We like it's catchy theme song and the story lines that focus on learning life lessons and social skills.  The train theme is of high interest to my daughter and it's nice to have several wintery episodes all together in one collection.  I also like that it's great for viewing any time of the year but especially during the winter, meaning that you will want to watch it longer than just during the holiday season.  Meaning that if your train fan unwraps it on the 25th, you'll still get months of watching it!

The new Chuggington DVD Icy Escapades is available now, with a suggested retail of $14.98 and runs for approximately 62 minutes and makes a great stocking stuffer!



Disclosure: A complimentary review copy was provided.  The experiences and opinions related within are both personal and unbiased.

DVD Giveaway: Win 5 Festive Titles from NCicle Entertainment

I have a wonderful collection of DVDs from NCircle Entertainment to giveaway today! This is a great set, featuring every one's preschool favorites like Cat in the Hat, Dino Dan, WordFriends, The Wiggles, and more!  Your little one will love singing, dancing, and learning with this collection of holiday hits.  This is going to be a quick one, so that the winner can get their DVDs in time to enjoy for the holidays.

Included are 2 BRAND NEW seasonal titles starring The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! which airs on PBS Dino Dan, airing on Nick Jr.

"The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About Christmas” – premiering this fall on PBS, this new DVD was specially-produced to ring in the 2012 holiday season, and features the voice of Martin Short as the Cat.

"Dino Dan 'Twas a Dinosaur" - follow the adventures of paleontologist-in-training Dan Henderson as he learns what might have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs, tracks down a Euplocephalus, and gives the poem "The Night Before Christmas" a new spin!

Rounding out the giveaway collection are three more popular titles from NCircle's holiday catalog.

"Happy Holidays WordFriends" - fun and festive DVD from the multiple Emmy Award-winning PBS Kids series, WordWorld, featuring three episodes - The Christmas Star, A Christmas Present for Dog, and Duck’s Family Reunion – plus a bonus music video, Dancing Dog.

"It's Always Christmas With You" - the most recent holiday DVD from The Wiggles is a real treat for the entire family, filled with 14 original new tunes and seasonal favorites. The DVD features special celebrity guests (including ‘N Sync’s Joey Fatone) in performances filmed around the globe.

“Puppy Party” - available in fetching holiday packaging, this adorable live-action DVD from Animal Atlas features Milo, the adorable Labrador Puppy, who’s invited over 25 puppy pals to a party! Filled with facts and antics, and an ideal treat for animal lovers young and old.

Like I said before, this is going to be a quick giveaway, just one week so that we can get the winner their seasonal DVD collection quickly!  So please hurry and enter by December 3rd and tell you friends to come by and try too!  Use Rafflecopter below to enter & good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure: Complimentary DVDs were provided for both review and for the giveaway by NCircle Entertainment.  The experiences and opinions related within are both personal and unbiased.