January 11, 2011

Timex Camper Watch Review {and Giveaway!}

I love knowing what time it is. The world seems like a much friendlier place if I have quick access to the time. The thing about a watch is that you can be as subdued and classic or bright and funky as you like. A watch can complete your look, and show off your personality all while being able to supply you with the time. What's better than that.

I have owned several Timex watches in my time. Generally they are all silver with a stretchy metal band. But a recent encounter with a new style has me thinking of spreading my wings a bit and trying some new styles.

This cute white Camper watch from Timex is what has opened my eyes to the possibility of new styles.



This Camper watch from Timex is water resistant to 30 meters, and features luminescent hands, a light weight fabric strap with buckle clasp and a resin case. The white Camper watch retails for $35.00 with other colors and varieties retailing for between $35.00 and $42.00.


I've been trying out this watch for the last couple of weeks. My mom and sister tried it out while they were visiting the other day too. I took advantage of their "try out" session and asked them what they thought of my Camper watch.

My mom liked that the watch was lightweight and not too heavy on her very petite wrist. She also noted that the strap could be adjusted to actually fit her wrist instead of flapping around twisting out of place.
My sister, one of the most fashionable people I know, liked the size of the face and the clean simple design of the watch. She was a little worried that the strap might get dirty because of it's light color but she thought the white was a good way to make a simple statement on your wrist.


I agree with them both. The strap is lightweight and because of the buckle can be adjusted to fit a wide range of wrists. I like the simple sleek look of the watch and it is kind of refreshing to see a watch that isn't metal or plastic for a change. A quick look on Timex's site shows that the Camper comes in other colors as well as other styles for both men and women. The white is my favorite, but there are some other Camper styles and colors that appeal to me too.

I do worry about the watch getting dirty or showing wear faster because of the white but wearing white really does feel luxurious to me as a mom. Almost like throwing caution to the wind in favor of cute. It makes me feel cute and stylish and a little dangerous. Okay, not really dangerous but you get what I mean. White and kids don't unusually mix well but I don't have to worry about dirty little hand prints on my watch like I do on say a pair of white pants or a nice white sweater.

How to get the Collegiate Look from Timex Style on Vimeo

I love the potential preppy look of this watch as shown in video above. The Camper watch is a versatile watch that anyone could wear at a very affordable price.

Timex has several other videos with style suggestions on how to get looks such as the Retro Look, the Rocker Chic Look and the American Work Look.

Timex is generously giving away a Camper Watch in white to one Lucky Evolving Mommy Reviews reader!

To enter:
  • Leave a comment telling me how you would wear this watch or where you would wear it to if you win. Would you wear it preppy or laid back? Maybe you have a certain outfit you would wear this watch with or maybe you would wear it everyday.

Bonus Entries:
  • In a comment share which Timex look is your favorite, Retro, Rocker, American Work or Collegiate?
Contest ends Thursday January 2o, 2011 at 11:59 pm EST. Your email must be in your comment or visible in your profile to win. Winner will have 48 hours to respond, if no response is received within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.

*All opinions and statements are the authors and not necessarily the views of Timex. The author received the product free of charge as a part of this review. No compensation was received for this post.

January 8, 2011

Cinch! Book Review

I'm generally skeptical of diets. It makes no sense to take your eating to an extreme that you can't maintain, thus making in impossible to actually maintain weight-loss.

It was with that usual skepticism that I approached reading Cinch!


Cinch! is written by Cynthia Sass, the coauthor of Flat Belly Diet. Sass is a registered Dietitian, with a monthly weight-loss column in Shape magazine and the nutrition consultant for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays.

Cinch! starts out with a little introduction to the plan. The Cinch! plan is a 30 day diet plan made up of 3 meals a day and a snack. The introduction is followed up by the layout of the 5-day 5-food fast forward, which is exactly what it sounds like. For five days a dieter follows a strict meal plan for 3 meals and a snack. all of the meals are made up of 5 foods, spinach, almonds, raspberries, eggs and yogurt. The 5-day 5-food fast forward is meant to jump start weight-loss and start off the 30 day program. Sass even says that it is possible to lose up to 7 pounds during the 5-day fast forward period.

Although the 5 foods making up the fast forward are very nutritious and excellent examples of foods a person should eat regularly I question any diet that encourages a person to potentially lose up to 7 pounds in 5 days. Especially since the accepted knowledge is that 1-2 pound a week weight-loss is healthy.

Some people may thrive on strict diets but as I said above I'm not a believer. Luckily the 5-day 5-food fast forward is optional and Sass states that followers can also begin the program by simply beginning the Cinch! Core portion of the program and eating any of 100-plus recipes as outlined in the book. The Cinch! core is the remaining 25 days, or the full 30 if you choose not to follow the 5-day 5-food fast forward.

The recipes Sass shares in the book seem healthy balanced and even pretty tastey. I love that she encourages followers of the plan to each organic, local and all natural foods. I also love that she includes some on the go store-bought options for days when planning and preparing homemade meals is not an option. The Cinch! plan even includes a daily does of chocolate which is something most diets forbid. Sass even includes recipes for making your own truffles at home.


The portions of the book that address emotional eating and potential questions you might have about the plan or healthy eating are a good read. I know I have a tendency to eat when certain emotions hit and I definitely finished the emotional eating chapter with a few ideas to get me started down the road to kicking the habit.

I would recommend this book if you are someone that thrives on a plan. The foods in this plan are healthy and maybe following this plan can help you start down the path to making healthy choices in the grocery store and while making your meals. Do I plan on following this plan? No, I don't. I did pick up some good tips and some simple recipe and cooking ideas such as cooking with green tea, but I am not trying to lose weight and I am very happy with my food selections in general.

If you would like more information about the book you can visit Cynthia Sass's Cinch! website.

*This is an honest review. All thoughts and statements are the authors and are not necessarily the views of One2One Network, Cynthia Sass or HarperOne. Product provided. No compensation was received for review of this product. This review was in no way influenced by One2One Network, or any other party.

December 18, 2010

iCaughtSanta.com Review {and Giveaway: 5 Winners!}

This Christmas Maddy is 3 years old. Which means she is really excited about the holiday and all the magic that surrounds it.

Today for instance we stood in line in the freezing cold to see the best Santa in town for over an hour. Even with the long wait, the cold and her runny nose she didn't lose interest in the reason for being there. She was going to see Santa. She was going to tell him what she wants for Christmas. And she did.

Apparently my child wants binoculars. Who knew? Not me. Especially since she has spent the weeks leading up to Christmas asking for a big girl bike and a kitchen and other random things.

Needless to say she will not be getting binoculars. But she will be getting a surprise on Christmas morning other than all the awesome-presents-that-aren't-binoculars under the tree.


Luke took a picture of our Christmas tree in our living room. Then using the Catch a Character website Luke added Santa into our picture. On Christmas morning we'll have proof that Santa was there in our house. Maddy is going to love it. Love it.


There were 20 different Santa poses to choose from. Anything from coming down the chimney to placing presents under the tree. We were thrilled with the choices and the results and I can't wait to show Maddy our picture on Christmas morning. What an awesome and easy way to add even more magic to your holiday.

Buy it: Want some proof of your own? Visit iCaughtSanta.com where you can personalize your own picture for only $9.99. In addition to Santa Catch a Character also has the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Cupid. Be sure to use the discount code Evolving-Mommy to save 25% off!

Win it: iCaughtSanta is generously giving away a personalized photo from Catch a Character to 5 Evolving Mommy Reviews readers!

Mandatory Entry:

Leave a comment telling me who you would catch a character for? You daughter? Your Grandson? Or nieces?

Bonus Entries:

Share this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter and leave a comment letting me know you did. Please include @EvolvingMommy in your tweet.

Follow @catchacharacter on twitter and leave your username in a comment.

Follow Evolving Mommy on Twitter and leave a comment with your username.


Contest ends Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at 11:59 EST. Winners will be chosen randomly. The winners will be contacted Tuesday December 21, 2010. and will have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be selected. Please be sure your email is in your comment or profile or I will not be able to contact you and another winner will be chosen.

*All opinions and statements are the authors and not necessarily the views of Catch a Character or iCaughtSanta.com. the author received the product free of charge as a part of this review. No compensation was received for this post.

December 14, 2010

5 Great Reasons To Buy Mom (or Dad!) a Smartphone for the Holidays

I have another great gift idea to add to the list for you. A gift that makes life easier for Mom (or Dad). A gift that is sure to please.

A smartphone.



(Email subscribers click through to Evolving Mommy Reviews to view video)

This post is an entry into Cozi.com's $250 contest. Cozi offers a online calendar with numerous features and phone applications for iPhone and Android. All opinions and statements made in this post are the authors alone and were not influenced in any way by any outside party. No compensation was received for this video and post.


December 13, 2010

Holiday Gift Guide Recap


11 shopping days until Christmas. Have you made all of your purchases? If so, congratulations you deserve a pat on the back and a cookie for your timely work. If you are like the rest of us and still have some shopping to cross off your list I'm here with some reminders of the fun items on the Evolving Mommy Holiday Gift Guide.

Below you'll find links to posts covering over 20 different gift suggestions for kids, teens and adults as well as men and women.

Now remember I was not compensated for sharing any of these products with you. I just like them enough to think you should at least know about them, or put them under the Christmas tree for friends and family.

Now get out there and finish up that shopping!

Food Face Plates
Super Magformers
Remington Ceramic Styling Wand
Perplexus

E.L.F. Cosmetics
Do Fun Stuff
Eton Microlink FR160 Self-Powered Radio
Matchominoes and Animal Counting Puzzle
Colorful Souffle Dishes
Kids Art Supplies: Melissa and Doug, Crayola, Oriental Trading Post
Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day
Powermat
Curious Chef