Learning to Play with Wonder Croquet Set Review

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I recently received the Wonder Croquet Set and was excited to teach my son how to use it. As a child I have a faint but fond memory of playing croquet and hoped to give my son a few fond memories also.



At first glance playing croquet might seem simple but it actually takes some critical thinking and physical skill to get that little ball into the goals. Of course trying to explain this to a 4 year old who only wants to hit the ball is a lost cause. The best I could try was to show him how to hold the stick (mallet) so he can hit the ball and step back.



What followed was a few hours of pure fun and laughter. Fun for my son and guilty laughter for me. No matter how I explained and showed by example my son missed hitting the ball...even when he was directly over it. But I have to give my son credit. He's no quitter. He kept playing *laughing*.

Over all he did well for his first croquet lesson. But I did catch him cheating a few times by putting the ball in the goals instead of using the mallet. Tsk! Clearly I have to give him a few more hours to improve his coordination. Good thing the Wonder Croquet Set is well made and can withstand my son learning curve.


Even though the Wonder Croquet Set is made for children, the wooden pieces are sturdy and well made. The animal characters designs are adorable, bright and has easily identifiable numbers to help kids while game playing. The Mallet comes in 2 pieces which makes it adjustable from younger short kids to older taller kids.

The Wonder Croquet Set is for ages 36 mos+, sells for $47.99 and is available at various retail stores and online at yoyo.com and Amazon.com.

Please Note: I received a product sample for review purpose. No other compensation was received. Views expressed are always 100% my own.

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Posted in: Blog, Review, Toys

EA Sports & Tottenham Hotspurs FIFA13 3D Headscan Technology

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I had the special opportunity last week to meet with EA Sports and the hot Tottenham Hotspurs FC and watch while they conducted 3D head scans of the players in Grand Central Station for the new FIFA 13 videogame.



So the 3D head scan process, involving 18 digital cameras at different angles and 3D imaging technology, allows the EA Sports development team to capture high-quality 3D digital pictures of player to include in the game. This more accurate digital rendering of players in the game help provide a deeper immersion for gamers who want a more realistic football game with their favorite teams.

FIFA 13 continues to add additional teams like the Hotspurs using this 3D technology in each FIFA edition.

Before this new technology, traditionally it was a longer process that involved acquiring agency or football club photos and had video-game artists put together geometric shape of the head and texture and put together as close of a representation of the players, some more better than others. Now its much more simplified and faster process with the end result being much more authentic looking players.



I also had a chance to speak briefly with Simon Humber, EA Creative Director and asked some technical and not so technical questions on FIFA 13. I had a video of the interview but unfortunately the sound quality was horrible and could barely hear the conversation so below are the few questions and brief answers (I could hear) that I can provide!

Q:Will there be any sort of stat commentary by the commentators in game in Career Mode for players, like if a player is leading the league in goals or assists?

A: There is actually. (he got into more detail but that's where the sound cuts out!)

Q: Will there be commentary downloadable packs for all the languages to be available for all regions?

A: There will not be.

Q: Will you be able to ask for a substitution for your virtual pro in Player Career mode?

A: That work is on going at the moment (again, sound got fuzzy and couldn't hear the rest of his explanation!)

Q:How do I change my character to a female?

A: Unfortunately we don't have that ability :( (Boo!)

Q:Is there an Olympic mode and how do I unlock it?

A: No Olympic mode, we don't have the license to do the Olympics in this game (this was a silly question I asked but he took it very seriously!)

Q:I just scored a goal, how do I get my character to take his shirt off? (important question for female gamers! lol)

A: Again, technology for the future maybe, but without the ability to animate the cloth to take it off, can't do it!

It wasn’t all work though, I also was lucky enough to meet and greet a few of the Spurs players too! They were quite busy demo-ing the game playing themselves in the tournament as well as playing other teams (I heard they used Real Madrid and Barcelona quite a bit!) when they weren't getting their head scanned!



The event provided a chance to demo the new FIFA 13 that is slated to come out September 25th and to see the 3D head scan process in action! It wasn't all work for the players, they even got a chance to do a friendly FIFA 13 tournament amongst themselves to win an Xbox.

Players demo-ing FIFA 13



Meet & Greet Players!











Spurs Tournament Time!



The most sophisticated artificial intelligence ever achieved for the FIFA franchise will drive FIFA 13 on HD consoles and PC. All-new Attacking Intelligence enables players to analyse space, work harder and smarter to break down defenses, and think two plays ahead.

FIFA 13 will be available in stores world-wide this fall for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system with PlayStation Move support, Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system with Kinect, PlayStation Vita handheld entertainment system, Wii , PC, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo 3DS, PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, iPhone , iPad , iPod touch and other mobile platforms.

The game has not yet been rated.

Learn more about EA Sports Football - http://www.easportsfootball.com
Join the EA Sports Football community at - http://www.facebook.com/easportsfifa
Follow on Twitter at - www.twitter.com/easportsfifa

Written by Christina Chin, who's hip, fashionable and located in New York City.
Please Note: I was invited as media to this event. No other compensation was received. Views expressed are always 100% my own.

Posted in: Event, Gaming, GuestWriter, TechFocus

Philips Norelco Bodygroom 2040 Pro Gives a Clean Shave Review

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When it comes to body grooming and hair care, most people just think about women. But many women can tell you that the men in their lives care about their own personal body grooming, hair care and skin care just as much as women do. In my own family all the males like to be clean cut and stylish.



So when I received an offer to review the Philips Norelco Bodygroom 2040 Pro, I knew it would be a great review product for my uncle.


Before shaving

For many years growing up, I watched my uncle going through the male body grooming routine of shaving his beard and trimming his hair. For him getting a nice close and clean shave was key. As an black male finding a shaver that can deal with coarse facial and body hair without leaving razor bumps is a major plus.


After shaving with the Philips Norelco Bodygroom 2040 Pro

I asked him to try the Philips Norelco Bodygroom 2040 Pro and see if it gives him the shaving experience he's been after. About 2 hours after I gave him the unit, my uncles calls me raving about how amazing the shaver is. He loved the smooth result after shaving, how easy it was to use, and that he can use the shaver in shower. He was very happy to use it for all his male grooming needs.



The Philips Norelco BG2040 Bodygroom Pro Grooming System SRP $69.99 is an electric body groomer designed exclusively to suit men and for use everywhere on their body.

Key Product Features

• Cordless, rechargeable unit
• Rounded blades and combs to prevent scratching the skin
• Hypo-allergenic foil shaver, patented pearl tips 3-D, and pivoting head for close shaves with less skin irritation
• Select up to 5 length settings designed to be gentle on the skin.
• Water resistant; you can use wet (in shower) or dry
  

Please Note: I received a product sample for review purpose. No other compensation was received. Views expressed are always 100% my own.

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Posted in: Beauty, Review

LEGO Batman 2 : Video Game and Cookies

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I'm always amazed what some pr agencies will send me. It's like they have a window into my soul. Or based on my recent package of LEGO Batman 2 Video Game AND character cookies.... at least a peek into my gaming habits.



Now it's no secret that I love video games and cookies but how did they know I enjoy eating cookies while playing video games?! Amazing! Ok not really, the pr team might have noticed me eating a cookie while gaming it up at the LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes video game event. That could have given them a clue yes?

Either way I was excited over my package. After paying off my son with one of the cookies, I settle in to play a few levels of the game. Oddly my first impressions of the game still remain. There's a lot going on and trying to figure out the next moves takes a while with no guide.

Otherwise, of course it was fun to smash objects to gain points & coins. The storyline and graphics are still amazing and over all the game is a fun play. I recommend the game for older children and adult fans of LEGO and DC Comics universe superheroes. The cookies I recommend for everyone but sorry your video game won't come with any cookies.



In LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, the Dynamic Duo of Batman and Robin join other famous super heroes from the DC Universe including Superman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern to save Gotham City from destruction at the hands of the notorious villains Lex Luthor and the Joker. Batman fans of all ages will enjoy a new and original story filled with classic LEGO video-game action and humor as players fight to put the villains back behind bars.

Players explore all new areas of Gotham City utilizing a variety of vehicles including the Batmobile and Batwing. In addition, they’ll be able to fight for justice by mastering new gadgets and suits, such as Batman’s Power Suit and Robins’ Hazard Cannon, and using all-new abilities including flight, super-breath and heat vision.

LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is available Summer 2012 for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, the Wii system, and Windows PC, as well as the Nintendo DS hand-held system, Nintendo 3DS hand-held system, and PlayStation Vita handheld entertainment system.

The game is the sequel to the best-selling LEGO Batman: The Videogame, which to date has sold more than 11 million units worldwide.

Please Note: I received a product sample for review purpose. No other compensation was received. Views expressed are always 100% my own.

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Posted in: Blog, Gaming, Review

Pre BlogHer12 : Mom Central First Drink On Us #BloggerParty

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Before the BlogHer 12 conference, Mom Central hosted their fifth annual "First Drink on Us" cocktail party! Those attending was able to to catch up with old friends or meet a few new ones while learning about the sponsors that helped make the party happen. I was able to speak with few of the party sponsors and here's what I learned about their services and products



Scotch

At the scotch table I learned about the latest colorful tapes and how to use them for creative decorations. You can use the tapes to decorate folders, binders, phones and anything else. Change your mind? The tapes are easy to remove and apply. I also learned about the Scotch Expressions Pinterest Contest, where someone can win a cruise!

Details to enter

Enter through September 14:

• Follow www.pinterest.com/ScotchBrand and pin one photo of an original project you created using Scotch Expressions Tapes and Printed Scotch Shipping Tapes
• Be sure to use the hashtag #ScotchExpressions in the caption and to email us a link to your pin at ScotchBrand@HunterPR.com
• Visit the "Scotch Expressions Pinterest Contest" board for how to enter and a link to the official rules
  

For more information:

• Visit ScotchBrand.com for information on Scotch Expressions Tapes and Printed Scotch Shipping Tapes
• Visit CruiseAndCrop.com to view the cruises you could win
  

3M

At another table I learn about 3M products like their fingerprint fading and anti-glare screen protectors, as well as their support for technology in the classroom with 3M Screens for Schools. One school can receive up to $25,000 in new tablets for its classrooms

Details to enter

• Go to https://screensforschools.3m.com to:

• Show your support: Help reach the goal of donating up to $25,000. They're donating $1 for each person who shows support and another $1 for every person who shares the message on Facebook
• Enter your local school: Submit an essay of up to 500 words explaining why the school is in need of new tablets and how they would be used. accepting entries through September 12
  

• Visit www.3MScreens.com for information on 3M Natural View Fingerprint Fading and Anti-Glare Screen Protectors

Other sponsors at the party included



Zulily, who highlighted their home goods section where families can find designer items at a discount



3M Mobile Projectors showcased how families can use their newest projectors to enjoy movies, photos and other digital media.

Please Note: I was invited as a member of Mom Central and received a gift bag after the event. No other compensation was received. Views expressed are always 100% my own.

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Posted in: BlogHer12, Event