Create Your Own Sparkling Mini Snow Globes with Glitzi Globes {Review & Giveaway}

If creativity is a gene, then it's one that we continue to pass down in my side of the family.

My grandmother was creative, my mom is extremely creative, I consider myself decently creative... and my girls? Well, they'd dive headfirst into a pool filled with art supplies if they could.

However, while they love open-ended crafting abilities, I've found that they're even more excited when they are given a little inspiration, some direction, just about anything bright and colorful, and a whole lot of glitter. Are there girls who don't like glitter? I haven't met them yet.

Most recently, we've all been enjoying the ability to get our creative juices flowing with a new product that allows girls to make, fill, create and even wear their sparkling, pint-size creations: Glitzi Globes.

New to the world of do-it-yourself crafts from Moose Toys, Glitzi Globes are the create-your-own snow globe toys that allow young users to make 'em, shake 'em, and show 'em!

Girls simply use the included materials to assemble each adorable miniature glittery globe and then turn it into a pencil topper, jewelry, decor and more. With 24 characters and six themes to design and collect, these colorful arts & crafts are sure to bring a smile.

Knowing that my girls love crafts, glitter and animals, I had no doubt that Glitzi Globes would be the perfect combination of all three to grab their interest.

Looking over the Glitzi Globes Three Pack, Glitzi Globes Starter Kit and Glitzi Globes Glitzi Showcase, the girls couldn't get enough of the variety of colors and the charming faces of all of the cute little animals and were eager to get to work.

Immediately opting for the Glitzi Globes Glitzi Showcase, we looked over the contents and couldn't wait to get started.

Although I was initially a little hesitant wondering about the amount of mess or help that the girls would need in creating their mini snow globes, the clear, step-by-step instructions eased any worries that I had.

The unique globe maker has a designated spot for the dome and the base plate, so all the kids needed to do was place the dome, add in their selected deco shapes and glitter pellet...

...fill with water...

...and select the character that would be living inside. Once the character is placed on the base, it is placed in the globe maker...

...and the top is pressed down firmly onto the bottom to assemble the globe.

Voilà! Then simply open the globe maker back up and your colorful, whimsical creation is completed and ready to wear or display.

So easy!

The girls loved getting to pick between all of the cute characters, fun little deco shapes and more. Not to mention that the end result is so sparkly and unique!

Once all of the Glitzi Globes were finished, the girls immediately had fun interchanging them in the different color Glitzi Bases, adorning the top of their pencils or turning them into jewelry.

Then, after putting together the large Glitzi Carousel...

...the completed Glitzi Showcase was the perfect place to display each and every one of our sparkly creations!

While I wouldn't suggest it as a common occurrence, I appreciated that the Glitzi Globes instructions also gives directions on how to reopen the globes in case you forgot to add in one of the components or your child desperately needed to switch to a different character.

For now, however, the girls are extremely excited about their sparkly, artistic creations and have loved moving them from place to place around the house and incorporating them into their pretend play with other toys.

When can I attend a party that has Curious George, Glitzi Globes, Little People, a princess, Woody and Buzz, and Sulley in attendance?

Designed for ages 5 and up (although Little Sister B had no problem completing all of the steps on her own at age 4), Glitzi Globes are a unique and fun activity for girls everywhere. I can't think of another toy that results in custom, handmade snow globe accessories to wear or display anywhere you please!

To find out more about Glitzi Globes and to see if they'll make a great gift for the girls in your life this holiday season, visit GlitziGlobes.com and connect with them on Facebook. Each of the kits retail between $7.99 and $19.99 and can be found nationally at retailers, including Toys 'R Us and Walmart, as well as online from Amazon.com.

Plus, thanks to their generosity, one person will soon see why creating your own miniature glittery habitats is fun and entertaining as well, because...

One lucky person will win a Glitzi Globes Glitzi Showcase!

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A big thank you to Glitzi Globes for providing the above three products for me to review as well as a Glitzi Globes Glitzi Showcase for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Delicious Italian Trattoria in Downtown Madison: Tutto Pasta State Street {#ReviewCrew}

Although my family enjoys eating a variety of foods, there's no doubt that the everlasting favorite is always Italian. The pastas, the sauces, the wines, the pizzas, the desserts... I mean, c'mon. You just can't go wrong!

Unless... you do.

You know what I mean. You visit an Italian restaurant and the tomato sauce is thin, the spaghetti noodles are hard and the bread tastes like it was pulled out of a bag — not at all the definition of delizioso.

On the other hand, there are some Italian restaurants that just get it. From the antipasti to the meatballs to the tortelloni, they've managed to wrap up the best of Tuscany and bring it right to your table.

Add to that a children's menu to please my kids and televisions showing sports to please my husband and it's no wonder that the entire family was happy during our recent visit to Tutto Pasta State Street.

Family-owned and operated in the heart of downtown Madison, Tutto Pasta State Street is the quintessential location to experience a delicious authentic Italian meal in a unique, casual and friendly environment.

While the outside appears quite small, there are actually three floors of seating inside as well as patio seating out on State Street during the summer. The menu is filled with nearly every imaginable type of pasta you can think of, a large wine list, and a meal that begins with homemade bread and finishes with a unique selection of desserts.

Although my husband and I had visited Tutto Pasta ages and ages ago, we knew that we were at least a decade overdue for a visit. So what better way to spend lunchtime with the whole family on the weekend?

Entering the restaurant through the cozy bar area...

...we considered sitting in the bright and opening main floor dining area...

...but instead opted to take a seat at a large, comfortable booth at the window with a perfect view out onto State Street. Even though it was a slightly rainy and dreary fall day, it's still always fun to watch the variety of people who might walk by!

After we were settled and had been greeted by a friendly server, we took to perusing the menu.

Oh my, the menu.

Soups, salads, pizzas, calzones, cheese-filled pastas, chicken, veal, red sauce, white sauce... there are even healthy pasta options and the ability to substitute Omega-3, Gluten Free or Organic Wheat pastas (for a small charge) into any of Tutto Pasta's dishes if you prefer.

Upon finally making our lunch selections, we were treated to a basket of homemade bread and a dish of oil and vinegar for dipping. Although I can't be sure that this bread was pulled from the oven only moments before, it was so warm, soft and delicious that I would have believed it had been!

I'm fairly certain that I could have just eaten bread for lunch, but, in a short amount of time, our meals were brought to the table and they looked just as delectable.

Little Sister B and Big Sister E were extremely excited about their children's menu selections of chicken and french fries...

...and spaghetti noodles with butter and Parmesan cheese...

...and I was happy to see that they received large portion sizes that would fill them both up for the afternoon.

At the same time, my husband was eager to dig right in to his Rigatoni Salsiccia (pasta sauteed with onions, sausage, mushrooms and bell peppers in a light tomato sauce)...

...and I couldn't wait to bite into my Focaccia Mediterraneo Panini (tomatoes, basil, garlic and mozzarella on Focaccia bread) with a side salad.

The results? It was all just as delicious as it looked!

Both of the kids and I cleaned our plates (even after having eaten so much yummy bread!) and my husband was happy bringing home half of his pasta so that he could have it later that day for dinner.

As a fun bonus, both of the kids were able to pick a piece of candy as a treat to finish off their meal...

...ensuring that we all left full and happy.

While the prices at Tutto Pasta State Street were reasonable to begin with ($5.00 for a complete kid's meal, including the drink and candy, and $7.95 and $8.95 for the sandwich and pasta, respectively), using our Restaurant.com gift certificate made the whole meal quite the bargain.

Considering the location and the number of reasons that we're often downtown walking on State Street...

The view upon walking out the front door of Tutto Pasta!

...I have no doubt that we won't wait nearly as long before visiting Tutto Pasta again in the future. It received two thumbs from the whole family and was the perfect addition to our day!

For more information about Tutto Pasta, visit their website and connect with them on Facebook. To find out about all of the money-saving options that Restaurant.com has to offer in your area (or in an area that you are planning to visit), head over to Restaurant.com as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

As a member of the Restaurant.com Review Crew, I have been provided gift cards and compensation in order to facilitate my reviews. However, all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own. 

Friends For Any Reason, Any Season: My Pal for Soccer Doll {Review & Giveaway}

It's no secret that there is no shortage of dolls out there. Small, large, baby, adult, realistic, out-of-this-world... it seems as though no matter what style you're looking for, it's probably available.

But what is it about certain dolls that have the ability to become favorites? The ones that end up more than just another discarded plaything, but give children the ability to make a connection?

Those are the special few that are treasured and become more to the child than just a doll, they end up a true friend. So, is it possible to find one company that not only carries high quality, well made dolls for girls as well as boys, but is also on a mission to promote important concepts such as learning, caring and social consciousness?

There is. Those are the unique and admirable My Sibling and My Pals Dolls from LorettaRose, LLC.

A family-owned company that prides itself on producing high quality dolls and plush toys, LorettaRose, LLC has a fantastic Work Experience Program that gives teens and adults with developmental disabilities important work experiences, training and jobs in the packaging and labeling of available products.

How great is that?

When it comes to the dolls themselves, I love the idea that My Sibling and My Pal Dolls look like traditional 18" dolls but have the added uniqueness of their socially relevant purpose, cause or difference that they each promote... not to mention that there are just as many great boy options as there are girls!

Our society spends so much time trying to break down gender stereotypes and encourage all children to follow all of their interests, so why does it seem like the only male dolls that are available are all action figures or warriors?

In stark contrast, My Sibling and My Pal Dolls are positive, well-made and easy to appreciate by children as well as adults. Is there a way that a soccer-loving boy or girl could be anything other than enthralled with My Pal for Soccer?

Featuring black hair, brown eyes and medium skin, My Pal for Soccer was inspired by the creator's son and is the perfect buddy for children who have a strong interest in soccer. 

As my daughters have no shortage of girl dolls, it was a welcome change when the My Pal for Soccer boy doll arrived to change things up a bit.

Standing 18" tall with a soft body and a posable plastic head, arms and legs, it didn't take long before we were admiring our little soccer player from head to toe.

His shiny, rooted hair, his individual eyelashes, his pint-size soccer uniform... it's all just so cute while being so well-made!

Both of the girls immediately pointed out that this new friend has soccer-themed shorts, an embroidered Velcro-closure shirt, white knee high socks, and (their favorite) white and red tennis shoes that tie and untie like real sneakers.

All he needs now is a soccer ball and a goal, right? Well, considering that he comes with a soft miniature soccer ball, all we needed was to designate a goal and the game was on!

Along with the enjoyment of having a friend, each My Pal doll comes with a booklet for children to learn from and enjoy, and the one accompanying My Pal for Soccer is just right for the young fan. Children can learn about the parts of the soccer field, the positions of the soccer players and facts about Major League and International soccer teams.

There are also pages on which children can write about their experiences playing or watching soccer, and their love for the sport.

While I appreciate the uniqueness of My Pal for Soccer, I also love that he is durable enough that my daughters can play with him, while still having the look of a doll that might stay on the shelf.

His hair is easy to brush and style and his cute, removable outfit is made in the USA. Gooooooooooal!

For a wonderful gift for your child, grandchild or friend, My Sibling and My Pal Dolls are a product that you'll feel good about on so many levels. Priced between $40 and $55 for the dolls, $8 to $15 for the accompanying plush products, and $3 to $8 for accessories, these high quality products are built to last for years of use. After all, My Pal Dolls are "Friends for any Reason, any Season!"

And, when you're ready to shop, it's easy to take advantage of savings on these great dolls, as the varying sales are always just in time for the next holiday. For instance, My Pal for Giving Thanks will be on sale from October 28-November 2, while My Pal for Christmas and My Pal for Hannukah will be on sale from November 4-9 and November 18-23. Then just become a fan on Facebook to find out about great deals all year round!

Be sure to visit MySiblingDolls.com to find out about the wide variety of My Pal and My Sibling Dolls available and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter to help spread the word about their great products and wonderful program.

Plus, thanks to the generosity of LorettaRose, LLC, one person will have the opportunity to see just how much fun, love and learning the My Pal and My Sibling Dolls can bring to a child's life, because...

One lucky person will win their choice of My Pal or My Sibling Doll!

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A big thank you to LorettaRose, LLC for providing a My Pal Doll for me for review as well as the doll of choice for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Holiday Cards 2013 from Tiny Prints {Quick $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway!}

If you're anything like me, you're in denial that October is nearly over and, in essence, 2013 isn't far from ending as well.

Wasn't it just April? And what happened to June? August? There must have been something of note in August... how is it that the holidays are now just right around the corner?

That not only means that there aren't that many shopping days left, it also means that in order for holiday cards to be tucked into their envelopes, sealed, stamped and ready to send out, they need to be ordered soon.

In the past I found myself procrastinating and ordering our cards at the last minute, something that would end up consistently stressful and displeasing. But then I realized that life would be much easier if I didn't waste time or effort looking at various sites and less-then-stellar designs when I could just go with the amazing selection and quality that I've come to love and appreciate from Tiny Prints.

Even though I've seen (and sent) a variety of other holiday cards over the years, there is just something about Tiny Prints that has remained unmatched when it comes to style and overall impression. From traditional colors and embellishments to merry and bright colors that take on a modern feel, there is something about the way that that each one grabs your attention and celebrates the season in its own way.

New for 2013, there are even more styles to choose from – Contemporary, Classic, Vintage, Full bleed photos, All That Glitters, Bold Expressions, Simply Chic, Woodland Wonder and The New Tradition... it almost pains me to try to choose a single favorite!

Not to mention that along with the incredible designs, Tiny Prints has added new trim options for 2013 as well. Their square and rounded edges are back (I've always been a sucker for the rounded edges!) but now there are also bracket, ticket and scallop trim options as well. 

How do I chooooooose, Tiny Prints? You're making this really difficult!

However, if I truly had to pick my top five favorites, I'd have to say...

1. Joyous Heart: White Flat Holiday Photo Cards.

There's something about the simplicity of the single "joy" and the cute polka-dot back that I love about this card (as well as the rounded corners, of course). Plus, the ability to showcase three photos takes away the pressure of having one single awesome shot of the entire family!

2. May They Sparkle Red Lantern Flat Holiday Photo Cards.

This card mixes the simplicity that I like with the eye-catching background pattern that I adore. Plus, who doesn't want to share a little sparkle with their friends and family?

3. Distinctly Happy Ore Flat Holiday Photo Cards.

This card has lots of clean lines that I like, while it also gives me even more options to include photos... when are there ever too many pictures of my kids all in one place?

4. Geometric Joy: Gibraltar Flat Holiday Photo Cards.

I have a feeling that my husband wouldn't be a big fan of this card, but there's something about the pattern and the saturation of the colors that catches my eye and makes me think that it would stand out from others in a display!

5. Cherished Days Reef Flat Holiday Photo Cards.

How cute is this? I love the lighthearted whimsy and the way that it almost looks as though the border and letters were drawn on by hand.

Once the decision-making process is complete, I love knowing that whichever card I pick is going to turn out great simply because it will be from Tiny Prints. They haven't let me down once in the past and I have no doubt that they'll continue to impress me in the future!

With exclusive designs from the nation's top designers, easy card personalization, a powerful preview engine, top-notch customer service, wonderful paper quality, matching address labels and envelope liners, and more, it's no wonder Tiny Prints' designs have been lauded by numerous television networks, publications, celebrities and more. And don't even get me started on their stylish photo gifts that are great for so many people on your list!

Whether you're new or familiar with TinyPrints.com, be sure to head over and browse their amazing selection this holiday season and beyond — you won't be sorry! And, thanks to their generosity, one person will be able to order their favorites this year as well, because...

One lucky person will win a gift code for $50 off of their total order at Tiny Prints (including free shipping)!

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A big thank you to Tiny Prints for providing a gift certificate for me as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.