I'm a full-time mummy

I started wearing glasses when I was 12 years old and coming from a lower class income family, we could not afford to get expensive or branded glasses. As long as it serves the purposes of making me see clearly and cost cheap, then it is good enough. Back then, there's no such thing as buying glasses according to your face frame and so on.

And then when I started working and could afford better glasses, I did get myself one of those UV protection glasses since I work in the IT line, but I am still skeptical and hesitant with getting sunglasses. I mean,  to me, sunglasses is a nice to have accessories, not a necessity. Back then it's either you get a clip-on sunglasses (which I did once) or get a separate sunglasses with prescription (which I never did) and that is expensive (for me).

Until now, I've never own a sunglasses in my life (except for that clip-on one that I mentioned) though I am curious and often throw the occasional glances of curiosity towards those designer sunglasses on display in the optical eyewear shops.

Nowadays, there are so many types of sunglasses available. Just when I thought that it's not easy to shop for a sunglasses online, I came across http://www.glasses.com, a website that sells many types of sunglasses, lenses and heck, the coolest thing is they even have this virtual try-on widget on their website which allows you to 'try' their product virtually. You just need to upload a photo of yours and go on a frenzy try-outs!

So what are your thoughts on sunglasses and will you buy them online?

This book is totally gorgeous! I had earlier received the PDF copy of this book for my review but am not able to open it using the BlueFire software on my iPad, hence I tried requesting for the actual book from Free Spirit Publishing and I'm so happy they send the book to me! So here goes my review for the "I’m Like You, You’re Like Me" book:

Title: I’m Like You, You’re Like Me, A Book About Understanding and Appreciating Each Other
Author: Cindy Gainer and illustrated by Miki Sakamoto
Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing (September 26, 2011)
ISBN-13/-10:  978-1575423838 / 1575423839
Paperback:  48 pages
Dimension: 11.4 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches

Description from the product page:
"“It’s fun to find ways I’m like you and you’re like me. It’s fun to find ways we’re different.”

In this colorful, inviting early childhood book, kids from preschool to lower elementary learn about diversity in terms they can understand: hair that’s straight or curly, families with many people or few, bodies that are big or small. With its wide-ranging examples and fun, highly detailed art, I’m Like You, You’re Like Me helps kids appreciate the ways they are alike and affirm their individual differences—all while building self-confidence. Lively new art breathes fresh life into this classic introduction to diversity and self-esteem for children. A two-page adult section in the back provides tips and activities for parents and caregivers to reinforce the themes and lessons of the book."

'Beautiful, cute and so fun!' is all I can think of as I flipped through this book! I was so anxious to look at each of the pages in the book as the pictures included in this book is just gorgeous and really really cute! 

This book teaches us to appreciate the uniqueness and similarity between us and other people and that we should respect each other.

I also love the top and bottom rows on each page which depicts different things such as toys, vehicles, things you need for baking, and so on. Those cute little objects itself can be used to teach my child as well!

You can get this book from Free Spirit Publishing website, Amazon and many more.

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with a copy of the book by Free Spirit Publishing in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine. And if you'd like to read my previous book reviews, you can do so by reading this post of mine called "My Book Reviews"

I came across the press release about this new app and decided to request for an opportunity to review it after checking out the app details from the website and iTunes store. I was happy to receive a very prompt reply from one of the co-founder of the company who generously sent me a promo code to redeem the app for review. Yeayyyyy!! Anyway, my review as below...

* Title: Interactive Alphabet - ABC Flash Cards
* Price: $2.99
* Category: Education
* Updated: Oct 31, 2011
* Version: 2.1
* Size: 101 MB
* Language: English
* Seller: Pi'ikea St. LLC
* Rated: 4+
* Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.1.3 or later

Description from the product page:

"Every letter is a unique, interactive toy! Play the xylophone on the 'X' card, make the 'D'inosaur roar, 'Z'ip the Zipper, etc! It is a hands-on, memorable learning experience for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers!

Features:
* Universal app for iPad/iPhone/iPod: You can use it at home or on the go! Buy it once, take it everywhere.
* Fun original artwork, animations, music, and sound effects engage and capture your child's curiosity
* Memorable and unique interactivity keep your child coming back for more
* Fun and upbeat Original Music -- keeps you dancing, not wincing (parent friendly!)
* Our very own Alphabet/ABC song included!
* Baby Mode option (Auto advances cards every 15 seconds)
* Phonic Sounds
* Upper and Lower-case letters "

Other information:

I always love trying out apps that teaches my children things. There are people who presume that iPad is a bad thing. I mean, if you know how to use it effectively and in moderation, it can be useful and educational! Of course, if you let your child play games on iPad with no educational benefits, then you won't reap the benefits of the apps and off your iPad.

Now as for this app, I absolutely love it! It teaches alphabets in a very very fun and creative way! I find myself gravitating towards the app every time Ben and I go for our iPad sessions.

What's good?

* It is engaging and interactive and I love that we can also touch the objects for each letters of the alphabets on the screen and there are animations appearing as well from each letters!

* I love the illustrations and the colors used are very attractive and enticing! (Ben and I actually fought over who can press the letters of the alphabets and see what animations came out)  

What's not so good?

* I would prefer if the animation does not start until the narrator pronounces the letter and the word for it. Currently, the moment you touch the screen, the animation will start immediately. Because of this, the narrator's voice gets drowned out and is not as effective.

* The animation is so engaging and addictive, how could my boy finished learning from A to Z? Check out the video below where he goes from letter F back to letter E...

You can purchase the "Interactive Alphabet - ABC Flash Cards " app from the iTunes App Store.

I am so excited to be able to hold this giveaway for my lucky blog followers and readers! SIX of you (yes, yes, SIX!!!) are going to win a copy of this awesome and fun app to play on your iPad or iPhone! You will absolutely love it! Now, let's read below for the giveaway terms and conditions OK?

* Eligibility: OPEN WORLDWIDE!

* Giveaway expires on 31st Dec 2011 (Malaysia time)

* You must fulfil the mandatory entry 1st (which is to provide your valid email address & answering the question), else you will be disqualified

* Winner will be randomly drawn using Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to my email notification or a new winner will be drawn.

* Winner will receive their prize sent directly by your awesome mummy blogger here as I have the promo code ready to be redeemed.

To enter the giveaway, kindly click at the link shown below and the entry form will appear in a new window:

* INTERACTIVE ALPHABET GIVEAWAY ENTRY FORM *

(Link has been disabled when entry closes at 12 midnight past 31st Dec 2011)

It'd be great if you could leave me a comment once you have submitted your entry so that I can check and ensure it's safely tracked into my database. So what are you waiting for?!! Hurry up! You have more than 1 month time from now to join in the fun and try your luck!

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with the promo code by the sponsor to redeem the application for free from iTunes Store in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine. And if you'd like to read my previous iPad Apps reviews, you can do so by reading this post of mine called "My iPad App Reviews"