Milk Frothers - The New Household Luxury Item

Do you like foam or froth on your coffee? How about on your hot chocolate? Or maybe a little whipped cream on your fresh fruit? Check out the Froth Au Lait Mini Milk Frother!

I'm a nut for cappuccino, so I knew it would be love at first site when I saw this gorgeous little stainless steel beauty.

It whips milk up into a perfect meringue-like froth perfect for cappuccinos, lattes or whatever else you'd like. You've got your choice of hot or cold froth, so it's even wonderful for making whipped cream for cold deserts.

Imagine a Bailey's Irish coffee with this decadent fresh froth spooned on top, then a little bit of bitter chocolate shavings! Oh my - I think I need to go make a drink right now!

Click here for more information!

I love shopping!

One of the best things about living in the southern hemisphere is shopping. Not going out and shop

ping, but shopping online. See, when winter is over in the US and Europe, it's just gearing up down here. That means that all these websites that sell clothes and fashion accessories are cutting prices way down in order to get winter products out of their inventory. 

That means it's a perfect time for me to buy leather boots online! Not just that - sweaters and coats and jackets are all available at amazing prices, ripe for the pickings. 

Of course, if you live in the northern hemisphere, you can take advantage of this too. Look for classic styles rather than trendy items so you're wardrobe won't look dated next year when you wear it. The low prices are a great time to pick up clothing and accessories in natural materials like wool or leather than generally are more expensive. Shop around on the internet, you may be surprised at how much you can save. 

Harry Potter Wands and Collectibles

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As the Harry Potter series of flicks comes to an end, more and more individuals are getting interested in Harry Potter merchandise. Harry Potter wands have proven to be one of the more popular items. It's a fun item for collectors because there are lots of wands to choosefrom - nearly all of the characters in the movies has a signature wand, and each one is unique.

Wands, of course, are a way for wizards in J.K. Rawlings' wizarding universe to focus their powers when casting spells. While an expert wizard can cast spells without the use of a wand, it can be quite a difficult task. Wands have such extraordinary magical energy, that they are nearly animate beings on their own. In the book and movie series, most wizards get their wands from Ollivander the wand maker, who likes to say "The wand chooses the wizard... it isn't always clear why." It is true though that a adolescent wizard may try on several wands for size before he or she finds one that "accepts" him or her as an possessor.

We muggles have it a bit easier - we are free to own any of the wands we decide on! And there are various to choose from. Of course, Harry's own wand is a "most wanted" among hobbyists. Harry picked his wand out from amongst the hundreds of wands available at Ollivander's shop after a bit of trial and error. Once he had the right wand though, the two went together like hand in glove. What Harry didn't know at the time was that his wand was connected to the wand owned by Lord Voldemort - the same hateful wizard who had assassinated Harry's parents - and had left the lightning bolt shaped mark across Harry's forehead.

Other wands that are popular for collectors are the wands that belonged to other main characters in the book, like Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley or Professor Severus Snape. Each of the wands is distinctive, formed from differing woods and with particular magical cores, like dragon heart-string or a phoenix feather. Of course, one of the most well known wands of all is the Elder Wand, also known as the Deathstick or the Wand of Destiny. This wand had a lengthy and violent past before it came into play during the Harry Potter saga. We won't give away any story spoilers here, but suffice to say the wand played a vital role in the story.

There are many more popular types of Harry Potter memorabilia, such as models, Lego Harry Potter play sets and even action figures, but the Harry Potter Wands are one of the most popular of all. The story of Harry Potter has become remarkably popular, both in book and film. The fact that the finalfilm of the series is nearly upon us producesa bit of sadness for many people who are sorry to see the story end. Itemsare an ideal way to keep a bit of the story alive.

Designer Hobo Bags at Low Prices

I've never met a woman that would say no to a new purse - especially a beautiful designer purse, made out of the finest materials. While these purses may seem more expensive, their quality and classic styling means they last for ages and will be used over and over.

Hobo bags for women are one of those classics that never seems to go out of style. And because hobo bags less structured shape provides more inside room, it's a great choice for the woman on the move.

Another plus is their typically longer straps that allow for use over the shoulder or cross body. That makes them great for travel - lots of room, plus the ease of "no-hands".

Stylish hobo bags are available in a variety of materials from canvas cloth to fine leather. Look for well made interiors of sturdy cloth. Because the bags are less structured, it's always helpful to look for a few zipper compartments that can be used to keep the important stuff handy.

Boots are Always in Style

When looking for a fashion gift, there are certain things to keep in mind. Some styles are trendy while others are classics - and it can be difficult know which you should buy. Right now, platform knee high boots are very much in fashion, making them trendy - but boots are also a fashion that never goes out of style.

There are lots of choices in boots - styles, design, color, material and heel shape. You might go with a pull-on with a zipper, or maybe you'll choose lace-ups. There are even different kinds of platforms - the standard platform, or hidden (sometimes called covered) platforms.

When you buy boots (or any other fashion purchase) online, make sure to check the stores return policies. There are many sites now that offer rush shipping and free returns. It definitely pays to shop around to find the best deals.

Harry Potter Magic Wands are a Great Gift for Little Muggles

Kid's just love Harry Potter. Even my kids, who think they're too cool for everything, are acting like silly little fanboys over the new movie "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows" coming out.

That's why I think these Harry Potter Wands make such an awesome Christmas present this year.

You've got to watch the video - it's hilarious! But more importantly, I think it shows exactly why these are such a great gift. Look at the imagination and creativity of the kids in that video (here, at Harry Potter Wants) Those kids created a story, videoed it, and added effects! Imaginitave play is one of the most important play forms for children, and with these wands, they can bring that out in spades.

Cycleops Keeps you Training, even in Bad Weather

So, I have this friend that does those Iron Man type triathlons or whatever they're called. And he trains constantly. Part of his training is on his bike, of course. He rides for HOURS.

Except - sometimes the weather really sucks. I mean, he lives in central Florida, and it rains a lot. And when it rains, you don't want to be on the road on a bicycle, worrying about all that traffic.

Same thing for snow - or even when it's like 100 degrees outside.

But a stationary bike isn't the same - he wanted to train on HIS bike.

So he got a Cycleops Fluid 2 Indoor bike trainer. It's awesome! He just hooks up the back tire, and this thing raises it up off the ground by a couple of inches and holds it steady while he rides as long as he wants. It's even got this thing that provides friction to the tire, so you're not just spinning in the air - it feels like you're really riding down the road.

He had a different model before, but he didn't like it - he said it was too noisy. But with the Cycleops, he can watch TV with no problem while he rides. He's caught up on all his tivo'd episodes of Lost while he was riding. (He still can't figure the dang show out)

Oh, and if you're worried about feeling like your bike is going downhill because the back tire is raised up off the ground, they've got these cool little risers that fit under the front tire, so you can set it up however you like it. Actually, there's a few handy accessories for it - just check them out at Cycleops fluid 2 indoor bike trainer.

The QUIET Motocross Bike - Dirt Rocket

So, my kid's want a motocross bike so badly, but we live in a residential area where we aren't aloud to just go zipping around with a noisy dirt bike up and down the streets. We'd have the cops here before it got to the end of the driveway.

But that's not a problem with the Razor Dirt Rocket.

It's got an awesome electric motor that's as quiet as a whisper.

But don't let the lack of noise fool you!  This bike is pretty awesome - it can go up to about 17 miles an hour - plenty of speed for your young teens and tweens, and enough power to go over small jumps.

Just make sure they wear a helmet!

The iPool Rocks!

I never knew a thing like this even existed! I want one for my back yard so bad!

What is it? It's the iPool exercise pool!

I used to know these people that had an exercise pool in their back yard - it was about 12 feet long and about 9 feet wide.  You'd turn it on and a huge, strong jet of water would start flowing out of one end.  You got in and swam against the current that provided. it was pretty cool at first, but after a little bit, you'd start getting tired, and you had to readjust the strength of the current. If you wanted to slow down a little, and then sprint - well, you couldn't, because the current was always going at the same speed.

That's why the iPool is so cool. It's small, it's portable, it's above ground and.. it has no motor1 You just strap yourself in with a lightweight velcro harness and start swimming. It holds you in place.  You can swim as hard or as easy as you want.

Check it out at iPool exercise pool.

 

Once you build it, it's still fun!

So, I have this 11 year old kid. He LOVES building stuff. He also likes taking things apart, seeing how they work, and then trying to put them back together again.

That's why I love to buy him LEGO - like this Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle.

What's so awesome about it is that not only does he have something to build (something that keeps him quiet for HOURS, I might add!), but once it's built he can actually keep playing with it! And if he's feeling perky, he can try putting it together in different ways and customizing it.

He has so much frigging fun with this stuff! it's got the little characters and stuff, and I hear him doing those spells (abracadabra levititus or whatever the heck it is) and just playing out scenes from the movie and stuff. That kind of imaginitive play is SO  important for kids.  I love and he loves it!

Get a Vacuum cleaner that REALLY works.

Do you get tired of having to vacuum back and forth, back and forth over a piece of lint to get your vacuum to pick it up?  How many times to you try before you just give up and bend over and pick it up yourself?

Do you ever look at the floor after you finish vacuuming, only to realize it's still kind of dirty?

You know why that happens? It's because you don't have a Dyson.  Go read this Dyson DC-25 review and see why I WANT this vacuum cleaner.

I love that it's an upright and bagless. It's got a HEPA filter, which is awesome, because I'm sick of sniffling with these darn dust allergies all the time. Seriously, go check it out. I bet it'll make you want one too.

 

Bonsai rocks!

Have you ever done bonsai? I have a small ficus bonsai - it's about 8 years old now. I just love it to pieces. When I first bought it, I didnt' really know anything about taking care of it, but after a while I started learning more and more.

One of the first things I learned was about how important it is to have a quality bonsai tool set. I thought I could get by with just a pair of scissors to cut off the little twigs and leaves I needed to prune, but the truth is that if you want your bonsai tree to grow healthy, you need to have the right tools for working with it.

While their are some really expensive tools, you don't have to pay an arm and a leg if you're just starting out. Just get a decent basic set that includes the most common tools. If you later decide that you really love bonsai, then sure, you can go ahead and invest in more expensive equipment.

Give the Gift of a Brighter, Healthier Smile

The Sonicare 5300 Essence can actually help save you money.  You might think, oh, these Sonicares are expensive! But the truth is, this toothbrush does so much more to remove plaque and food particles that it may very well save you a ton of money on dentist bills.

Don't believe me? Head over to Sonicare 5300 and read the testimonials there. Learn all about how this toothbrush works to help whiten teeth and improve gum health. I think you'll agree with me, that it's well worth the price!

Your Kids Can Build Robots!!

Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0 is an absolutely amazing toy that lets your kids learn about engineering  - and they think they're just building cool robots with LEGO!

What I really love about this toy is how it makes my kids use their minds. Not only can they use the included parts and instructions to build robots that really walk and perform tasks, they can go on the internet and learn more about the parts, and learn how to expand on that knowledge to do more!

Kids are so fascinated with it, my boys will sit and play together for hours without fighting. This is way better than having them sit in front of the Playstation or with the Gameboy. I'll take active learning over passive entertainment anyday. 

Hate Being in the Dark?

Then you need a great emergency flashlight, like the Rayovac Extreme 3D LED Lantern!

It's high powered light runs off just three D-cell batteries, making it lighter and smaller than most other lanterns that need eight batteries - yet it still puts out a LOT of light with its bright LED bulb. That bulb lasts a lifetime, by the way, so you'll never have to worry about it burning out on you.

The lantern has three modes - High, Low and Strobe. On just those three D cell batteries, you can get up to 72 hours of light on High mode - nearly 150 on Low. And if (God forbid) your family is ever in an emergency situation, that strobe can help you signal rescue workers so you can get help fast.

I grew up in Florida, and know what it's like to go through hurricanes and thunderstorms, and to sometimes be days without electricity. What a comfort it is to have a dependable lantern in the house, that's ready when you need it, easy to find and can shine for days.

Dyson DC25 Vacuum

Image by skylarprimm via FlickrWhen you vacuum your floor, how many times do you go back and forth over a thread or piece of dirt before you just give in, bend over and pick it up by hand? Have you ever finished vacuuming and then looked down only to see that after all that, there was still pet hair and dirt in the carpet?

Why are you wasting your time and breaking your back with a heavy, clumsy, hard to maneuver vacuum cleaner that doesn't get the floors clean? The Dyson DC25 is lightweight and features Ball technology that makes it super easy to maneuver - and it picks up dirt like no other vacuum. Vacuum faster and better with less effort - because you have more important things to do than spend your day picking up dirt your vacuum left behind.

Not convinced? Check out this Dyson DC25 review.

Latico's Basics Adventurer Messenger Bag

Latico's Basics Adventurer messenger knows how to keep you stylishly in order. Supple leather forms this sleek bag while an adjustable strap offers convenient carrying. The flap opens to reveal card slots and enough pockets to keep everything you need organized and within reach.

Buy now, and get free shipping!

Activities for Kids - eBook download!

Looking for a way to keep the kids busy during Christmas Vacation? Look no further than this great DOWNLOAD-ABLE collection of Christmas Mazes, Puzzles, Games, Coloring Sheets, Word Puzzles, Sudokus, Cards, Bookmarks and more...

Now You Can Have All That You Need To Keep Kids Busy And Happy In The Lead Up To Christmas And Best Of All... These Fun Activities Are Educational Too!

In the Mood for Christmas Music?

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Top 10 Sentimental Classic Christmas Songs

There are classic Christmas songs of all sorts - cheerful, joyous, sacred or secular. But there are some Christmas classics that affect us more deeply - sentimental songs that remind us of Christmases past, and fill us with nostalgia. ..... Read More - Top 10 Sentimental Christmas Classics

If you love all the classic Christmas music, I bet you'll love this CD -

1. Silent Night (Intro) - Boyz II Men

2. Christmas Song - Nat King Cole, Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra

3. Winter Wonderland - Aretha Franklin

4. White Christmas - Bing Crosby

5. Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley

6. Sleigh Ride - Johnny Mathis

7. Frosty the Snowman - Ella Fitzgerald

8. Cantique de Noël (O Holy Night) - National Philharmonic Orchestra, Luciano Pavarotti

9. O Come All Ye Faithful - Luther Vandross

10. Joy to the World - Georgia Mass Choir, Whitney Houston

11. It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Dionne Warwick

12. Silver Bells - Kenny G

13. Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt

14. Night Before Christmas - Carly Simon

15. Jingle Bells - Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Herb Alpert, Tijuana Brass

16. Song for a Winter's Night - Sarah McLachlan

17. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland

Buy it here!

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Zhu Zhu Pets are Here!

Are you going nuts, trying to find a Zhu Zhu Hamster? Well, look no further - they're available here.