I'm a full-time mummy

Few days ago, I received an email from Nicki Donley with regards to her book and decided to review it after I Googled for more info on her book. Well, how could I say no to a book that  help children understand good moral values and instill proper etiquette in themselves? Below is my review for her "Cool Conduct - 100 Ways To Make A Positive Impression" book:

Title: Cool Conduct - 100 Ways To Make A Positive Impression
Author: Nicki Donley
Publisher:  Halo Publishing International (September 15, 2010)
ISBN-13/-10: 1935268635 / 978-1935268635
Paperback: 32 pages
Dimension: 8.3 x 8.3 x 0.2 inches

Description from the author:
" Cool Conduct is a fun and interactive book for children K-3 that encourages values such as kindness and respect. I believe social and communication skills are 2 of the most important skills parents and caregivers can provide for their child's future success and Cool Conduct does just that. Cool Conduct will help children make the connection that their behavior should make them, and those around them feel good."

* I love the cute illustrations!

* I like that this book addresses the ways to instill good manners and discipline for our children such as Social Etiquette, Respecting Belongings, Safety Skills, Outdoor Etiquette, Verbal/Non Verbal Communication, Electronic Etiquette, Table Manners, Healthy Habits - Image & Clothing, Public Places, School Etiquette and Acts of Kindness.

* Although my toddler is abit young to be reading this book, that is not a hindrance as I can read it out to him and not to mention the illustrations help too! I think that we as adults can also learn from this book as well!

* I am glad to be able to review this book and it will definitely stay in my book library (aka iPad - it goes with me everywhere I am)

Do get a copy yourself, heck, get it as a gift too!

You can get this book from HaloPublishing, Barnes&Noble, Amazon, Ingram Books and Indiebound.

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with a PDF copy of the book by the author 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"

For those of you who followed my Facebook page, you will know that I am a big fan of inspirational quotes which I post everyday on the page. So when I saw this app from Oceanhouse Media and while browsing through their many selections of apps, I decided to try my luck in requesting it (it is an app for iPhone actually). I am so glad to be given the chance to review this app! Anyway, my review as below...

* Title: Inspiration Perpetual Calendar
* Price: $3.99
* Category: Reference
* Released: Jul 29, 2010
* Current Version: 1.06
* Size: 15.6 MB
* Language: English
* Seller: Oceanhouse Media, Inc.
* Rated: 4+
* Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later

Description from the product page:

"The Inspiration Perpetual Calendar by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, based on the New York Times Best-selling book, is now available for your iPhone or iPod Touch. This interactive calendar is filled with specifics for living an inspired life. From a very personal viewpoint, Wayne Dyer offers a blueprint through the world of spirit to inspiration – your ultimate calling.

Dr. Wayne W. Dyer has put together this perpetual calendar because he knows without any doubt that inspiration can be cultivated and be a driving force throughout life, rather than showing up every now and then and just as mysteriously disappearing, seeming independent of our desires. Inspiration is for everyone! It isn’t reserved for high-profile creative geniuses in the arts and sciences – it’s inherent in our Divine birthright.

As you read each of the entries in this calendar, you’ll find specific suggestions for living in-spirit. Start each day on a positive note. Send the inspirational message to a friend on their birthday. Enjoy! With the Inspirational Calendar app you can:
    * Experience 365 daily entries with inspirational messages and images
    * Browse through the entire calendar by swiping
    * Access any date with a few touches
    * Enlarge text for easier readability
    * E-mail Wayne’s inspirational messages to friends
    * Save a page to your Photo Library and make it your wallpaper"

What's good?

* I am just mesmerised by the beautiful illustrations on each daily quotes!

* I love that I can browse the inspirational quotes, backwards or forward.

* I love that I can save the particular days that I want and even send it as an email out! This is how they look like:

What's not so good?

* There are some words that reminds me of those words I often heard when I joined yoga classes (for a month only) years ago such as 'in-Spirit', 'Source' and etc.

If you are a fan on inspirational quotes, then by all means, do try out this app!

You can purchase the "Inspiration Perpetual Calendar" app from the iTunes App Store.

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"

I always thought being a SAHM means I'm going to have a hard time going out to watch movies... what more with 2 kids now... and what do you know, few days ago, I received a pitch to participate in a special online “sneak peek” screening of this upcoming film, Snowmen, which opens in selected theaters nationwide October 21 (in US I think) and so below is my review for the movie:

Title:  Snowmen 
Director: Robert Kirbyson
Executive Producers:  Bill O’Kane, Ray Liotta, Diane Hendricks, Tina Segel
Producers:  Stephen McEveety, David Segel, John Shepherd
Screenwriters:  Robert Kirbyson
Cast: Bobby Coleman, Josh Flitter, Ray Liotta, Christopher Lloyd, Bobb’e J. Thompson, Christian Martyn, Doug E. Doug,
Beverly Mitchell
Release Date: 10/21/11 (Theatrical), 11/29/11 (VOD)
Running Time: 86 Minutes
Rated: PG

Synopsis of the movie:
"SNOWMEN is a humorous and heartfelt coming-of-age story about three unlikely heroes and the winter that changed their lives forever. After a surprising discovery in the snow catapults three small-town boys into the spotlight, the best friends hatch a plan to be remembered forever by setting a Guinness World Records® title. Along the way, the trio battles schoolyard bullies, unites their community and discovers that - while fame may be fleeting - true friendship lasts forever.

The film stars Bobby Coleman (Last Song), Ray Liotta (Wild Hogs), Bobb’e J. Thompson (Role Models), Josh Flitter (Ace Ventura Jr) and Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future)."

Awards & Accolades:

* Audience Award at the 2011 Dallas International Film Festival and at the Tribeca Film Festival
* Best Feature Film at the 2011 SPROCKETS Toronto International Film Festival for Children and Youth
* Heartland Film Festival's Truly Moving Picture Award
* The Dove Foundation and the Parents Television Council also gave the film their seals of approval

I was initially confused when I googled for more info on this movie as imdb website showed that this movie was released in 2010. My hubby was like 'Why ask you to review when it's already released?' and then I read the website link on the pitch email and found out this movie is a new one scheduled for release on Oct 21 this year. I still don't know what went wrong with the details on imdb website though...

How I rate this movie?

Storyline: Unique and it got my toddler's attention since we live in a country where there is NO snow at all and the fact that most of time, the movie features the 3 kids... Hubby told me that this movie has Disney written all over it (as it family-friendly and with meaningful lessons to be learned from the movie) and for me, I like some of the lines in the movie, for example when Bobby Coleman (one of the 3 main characters in the movie) said that he wants his life to be meaningful unlike the snowman - kinda like you just build it and after it melts away, there's nothing left to be remembered of.

Casts: I can only recognise Ray Liotta (from Wild Hogs) and was a bit surprised when hubby asked 'Isn't that guy from Back to Future?' and I was like 'Huh? Which one?' and then realised which one he talked about. Anyway, that aside, I think the casts in the movies are good.

Memorable Scene: I particularly like the scene where Bobby Coleman fell and got trapped under the ice and his friends all risked and tried to save him. I get teary eyed at that scene actually!

Overall Impact: A feel good movie with inspiring lessons to learn, perfect for family viewing especially!

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with the link and authorised password to view the movie online 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.