Duo Pop is just one of a handful of games specifically created to work with your iPad from Discovery Bay Games. In December posted an Atari Arcade Duo Review a product that definitely brought back some childhood memories when having an Atari was “cool”. We recently had the chance to review another Duo game the Duo Pop. Duo Pop one the “Best in Play” from Parenting 2012 Toy Fair.

Duo Pop is a new way to connect with family and friends for fun-filled, fast-action, heads-up gaming on an iPad. Multiple players compete to be first to pop their Duo Pop buttons, then correctly answer questions to win. Game apps for Duo Pop are designed for 2 – 4 players or teams.

There are several games you can download that work with the Duo Pop system such as In the Know, Highlights Buzz Blast, Swoop, Guesstimation, Saturday Night Live, and Highlights Hidden Pictures. Since Honey and I tried a few of these I’m going to review the system with our favorite game Highlights Hidden Pictures. Who doesn’t love a good hidden picture game?

When you start up the application the first thing you are asked is if you are playing with the Duo controllers. From there you sync up your buttons to your iPad. This is a very easy process. You have a little square box that is placed about three inches from the iPad. It must be placed in the direction indicated in the instructions. When it is time to sync you just push your button the screen will let you know you are synced. You fill in your name and the game begins. You can pick what picture you would like to find the hidden objects in. The free version comes with a few puzzles and you have the option of buying additional picture packs.

The first item you are to find will appear on the screen. The object is to find the hidden item before your opponent. There are three circles that hover and move over the board, once you have found the object you then have to wait for the circle to move over the object. When this happens you push the duo button. The game will keep track of your score.

Honey and I had so much fun together with this game that we did indeed purchase additional puzzles. This was a great game that was compatible with both her age level and mind. The Duo Pop was very easy to use and we had no problems with it once we synced it up properly.

The other games we gave a try but they were just a little above Honey’s age range. I would love to see Discovery Bay Games come out with quite a lot more games to chose from and games that are preschool-first grade age range. Overall the Duo Pop was fun and entertaining and a great way for my daughter and I to enjoy playing together but with the Hidden Puzzles being the only game we could play I would recommend this product for kids more in the age range of over 10 or 12.

We did take a try at the Guesstimation game but I either wasn’t playing it right or just didn’t see the fun in it. One game that I have not tried that I think I would like to try with my oldest son is Swoop

Get your keen eyes and catlike reflexes ready for a word-building, letter-swooping frenzy! Play on your own or pit your word wit against friends using Duo Pop™ to grab letters and create winning words for big points. But swoop carefully—unused letters count against your score!

Here is a brief description of some of the other games available for the Duo Pop:

Play Guesstimation™ on the iPad, featuring Party mode with Duo Pop™! How many ridges are on the edge of a dime? In this trivia game with a twist, the closest answer wins, so you don’t have to know the exact answer. You just have to make the best Guesstimation!

Get ready to think fast in this heads-up social game for the whole family, featuring classic content from HIGHLIGHTS magazine. Compare pictures, answer fun questions, complete silly sentences, and blurt out tongue twisters without getting tongue-tied. Complete the challenge before the timer goes off to win!

I was very excited to have been selected as one of the bloggers to give a new line of facial cleansing products a try. You may have heard of this line recently…Meaningful Beauty. This product line is a collaboration between Cindy Crawford (the epitome of youth) and anti-aging specialist Dr. Jean-Louis Sebagh. I must say Cindy Crawford is a perfect face for this product line. I would have no problem looking like she does at her age.

My products arrived and it was full of some great goodies: Skin Softening Cleanser, Antioxidant Day Crème, Lifting Eye Crème, Firming Chest & Neck Crème, Glowing Serum, and Creme de Serum.

I am always looking for a good products to add to my beauty routine. I have always been a fan of over the counter Cetaphil, but have mean wanting something more. I want a full beauty regimen to help keep my skin as young as possible. Not that I’m old by any means. The one area that drives me crazy are my laugh lines. I know everyone says laugh lines are beautiful but when I’m not smiling and about 20 lbs lighter they are very noticeable. I don’t know that any beauty products are going to totally remove them they are pretty deep but anything I can do to help and give my skin a healthy boost is definitely a plus.

My first impression of these products is very positive. I absolutely LOVE the feel of the cleanser, it is smooth and just feels like it is gliding over your skin. All of the products are close to fragrance free. I say close to it because everything has a smell. The smell is so light and clean smelling, I noticed immediately there was not smell of a harsh cleanser. I love the Glow Serum it has a small citrus smell. I took a before photo but I don’t think my camera really is showing off my skin much but I wanted to include it just to say “Hey here is the before!”

I also really loved the added touch of supplying me with a special instruction card. The card is not paper but of a material that will not destruct if a little water gets in the way. It is perfect to keep with your product to refer too anytime you aren’t sure what to do next. I keep this in my bathroom and refer to it often. There are instructions for both AM and PM

In addition to my starter kit I was surprised with an additional kit to give to someone meaningful in my life. As soon as I saw that there was no question who I wanted to give the second kit too. Not only would this person LOVE to try this product, she is the most meaningful woman in my life. I gave the second starter kit to my mother. I knew she would enjoy trying it out alongside me.

Her first impression of the Meaningful Beauty line? Excellent! She loves it as well. For all the same reasons I’ve mentioned above. After only 4 uses she could tell the difference. I’m not usually one for spending any “extra” money on myself but so far this is a product line I can see more of in my future. In 4 weeks I will be following up with and update from both me and my mother on any changes and our thoughts.

As part of the Brookstone Review Crew I recently had the chance to review the new Big Blue Live Wireless Bluetooth Speaker. I love when I get the opportunity to review electronic gadgets. I love to have the newest, biggest, and badest when it comes to technology. So when I was sent this product to review I knew it would be a hit in the house.

Surround yourself with crystal-clear sound wirelessly from any Bluetooth-enabled device—from your smartphone and MP3 player to your laptop or tablet. Our compact Big Blue Live Wireless Speaker from Big Blue Audio™ gives your device a larger voice for music, movies and games, all while you browse the web on your device. And when you want to take and share a call, Big Blue Live makes the perfect wireless speakerphone.

No cords. No apps. Nothing extra to buy. Just big wireless sound, with the device you already have. That’s the simple beauty of Big Blue. In literally seconds, you can be listening to music, streaming Internet radio stations like Pandora®, and amping up your games and movies wirelessly on any Bluetooth-enabled device.

One of the first things I noticed about this speaker was the size. The photo above is a great photo but doesn’t show you that this is actually a small little speaker. I love that it is small, it makes it easier to find a place on your desk, nightstand, or a corner in the kitchen to keep this speaker. It is just a little longer then my iPhone and measures 5″w x 2.5″d by 2.36″h, weighs 1.4 lbs.

I reviewed the product using my iPhone and even took a short video to try to show you how easy it is to work and how great it sounds.

I tried this out using both the music already on my iPhone as well as an application such as Pandora and it worked great both times. I love that you can operate the music on your iPhone using the controls on the speaker. The speaker comes with an adapter to charge the unit but it is not necessary to have the unit plugged in when using it as long as the battery is charged. This would make a great addition to a home office or some tunes in the kitchen when your cooking.

With the doll returning from the hospital here is the final product. Look how close the hair color is. You can’t see the eyes as well but they are a pretty good match.

Honey loves her “mini” Honey as she calls her and my mother was amazed at how much they looked alike. I was very impressed with some additional customer service I received from My Twinn. The same day Honey received her doll (for Christmas) one of the eyelashes fell off. I had planned on trying to glue it on myself but went to the site to do some research and was told that you should NEVER try to do it yourself. I emailed My Twinn to tell them what had happened and immediately I was sent an email with a shipping label to send the doll back to be fixed. At no charged to me the eyelash was replaced and “mini” Honey returned home safe and sound.

I know these dolls are a little on the expensive side but they are so beautiful and definitely a keepsake for your child. I also highly recommend you save both the My Twinn box and the box it was shipped in, in case you ever need to send your My Twinn to the Doll Hospital.

I’m a little late on the update but I mentioned two weeks ago I was going to post a Bob Harper Smart Success Weight Loss Supplement Review. I just had so much going on I haven’t gotten a chance until this weekend to sit down and let you know my findings and thoughts.

First if you are interested in seeing my thoughts and results regarding the 7-Day Cleanse you can check it out here: Bob Harper Smart 7 Day Cleanse Review.

In addition to the above I was taking the Smart Multi-Vitamin and the Smart Weight Loss Supplements. I can’t say much about the multi-vitamin it is so hard to assess how a multi-vitamin works so this review is about the Smart Weight Loss Supplements.

On my original post I documented my starting weight as: 178.2

After six days (I weighed myself Sunday morning) I weighed: 173.2

I lost 5 pounds during the six days. I took the supplements as instructed 30-minutes before my meal three times a day. I followed my own eating plan which was healthy and my calories averaged about 1200. I also was working out and worked 3-4 times during the week. My workouts were weights at the gym, and some low impact exercises with the Kinect. I did run one morning.

I am not a believer in a supplement that “causes” weight loss I don’t believe in such a thing. If you are looking for a supplement to take that is just going to melt off the pounds you are going to be looking a long time. I use to not believe in appetite suppressing supplements but in the past year I have changed my feelings. This is what I feel the Smart Weight Loss supplements are. They curb your appetite. I found that when I was taking the supplements I wasn’t hungry or thinking about food. As much as we sometimes want to believe it is our will power that causes us to over eat you would be amazed at how much easier it is when your system is void of unhealthy food and your levels are even throughout the day.

The following week I did not take the supplements as religiously as I did the first and I had a harder time staying on track. My final thoughts on the supplements is I really like them as an added tool in my arsenal of vitamins/supplements to help aid me in my weight loss. I can’t stress enough that this is not a miracle pill you can’t just take the pill and eat as you always do and think you are going to lose weight.

I’ve read some reviews of the supplements and I believe that people are expecting too much out of this product. I did also see some reviews that the supplements made them feel jittery. I did not have any of these effects. I have taken things full of caffeine and I do know what that feels like. I found that after taking these supplements I did not “notice” or feel different. I just didn’t think about food and was able to easier stay on plan.

I believe that weight can be lost with no supplements what so ever. I also believe that these supplements did what I expected and helped me stay on track. The supplements themselves did not cause my weight loss but they did help as an appetite suppressant. For this reason I believe they do what they are designed to do.

I mentioned about two weeks ago that I would be reviewing the new Smart Success Weight Loss Supplements by Bob Harper. I also received the Smart 7-Day Cleanse and decided to give that a try too. First some background regarding the product.

The Smarter Way to Cleanse

Now you can feel revitalized and refreshed with my gentle and easy-to-use Smart 7-Day Cleanse. It’s gluten- and dairy-free, vegan and vegetarian friendly, contains natural açai, and best of all, it’ll help you feel rejuvenated!

Gently Flushes Your System

My Smart 7-Day Cleanse works with your body’s natural elimination process so you can gently flush out waste from your system.

Meets My Personal Standards

This highly effective cleanse is gluten, dairy and lactose-free, and is vegan and vegetarian friendly. It also contains natural açai and comes in a convenient veggie-cap format.

Scientifically Researched Key Ingredient

The key ingredient in my Smart 7-Day Cleanse (senna extract) has been proven effective through scientific research – so you can trust it to work!
With my Smart 7-Day Cleanse, you can be confident you’re getting quality you can feel good about!

Source of information: http://www.bobharpersupplements.com/products/cleanse/index.shtml

I took the pills as directed: Take on serving (3 Veggie-Capsules) with food and at lest 8 oz of water two times daily. I took the pills in the morning with my breakfast and then later in the afternoon with lunch.

The truth is I had to discontinue using them after the second day. I took the pills in the morning on the third day and they just decided these were not something for me. I was getting some pretty good stomach cramps. I understand the purpose of the cleanse and would have been ok with mild symptoms but the stomach cramps were not worth the expected outcome.

Within one day after discontinuing I felt normal again. This was my own experience with the cleanse and can not speak for others. However since I mentioned I would review the product I thought it best to share my experience.

Note: I am not a doctor or licensed individual and nothing in this post is to be considered advice. This was a post written regarding my own personal experience.

Graffiti6 — a collaboration between singer-songwriter Jamie Scott and songwriter-producer TommyD were praised in a five-star review of Colours from London newspaper The Independent raving that the album—a mélange of pop, psychedelia, R&B, and British Northern Soul—is “an assured debut album that sparkles with invention and throbs with emotion”.  They are now poised to break state-side with the release of Colours.  Graffiti6’s songs have been heard on Grey’s Anatomy, Covert Affairs, CSI: NY, One Tree Hill, Parenthood, Chelsea Settles, Basketball Wives and the MTV series Teen Wolf. MTV has also featured the group in its Freshmen 5, Artist to Watch, and Push campaigns.

Graffiti6, the duo of singer/songwriter Jamie Scott and songwriter/producer Tommy “Tommy D” Danvers, makes the art of crafting pop gems seem like the easiest task in the world.”
-Billboard

“Spray painting their debut album with ‘60s psychedelia, rave music, and falsetto-kissed soul (courtesy of dreamy lead singer Jamie Scott), this UK duo makes a vivid splash.”
–People Magazine

“Using acoustic guitar and electric piano as primary colors, they combine smoky falsetto-soul melodies and breakbeat rhythms.”  – USA Today

“Pop at its most glorious” -Marie Claire

“Kaleidoscopic beat tornadoes” – Entertainment Weekly

Enter today to win a signed copy of “Colours” by Graffiti6

a Rafflecopter giveaway

See Official Rules. Giveaway will end on March 10, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST. Open to US Only.

Thank you and Good Luck!

Disclaimer: This giveaway is sponsored by company or representing agency. Opinions are my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. You may read more of my disclosure here.

I posted this some time ago and thought it appropriate to post again today. It was a poem I wrote for my daughter about her Grandfather, her angel.