Le Tour de France Giveaway!

The Tour de France is in full swing right now and to celebrate I'm hosting a fabulous giveaway with some pretty sweet Tour swag.  Before we get to the awesome prizes, here are some great tips for cycling with your family (talk about a great way to stay fit together!):

The Tour de France is the single most important competition in the entire sport of cycling with billions of viewers each year, and more than 10 million spectators lining the roadway. Cycle Force Group is an importer of bicycles, parts, and accessories serving all facets of the cycling industry and produces TDF bicycling gear. Cycle Force Group is excited to share with you bike tips to keep you and your family safe and healthy this summer.

Road Safety

 • Pump check: Before going for a ride, check your tires! Pump the tires with your pedals to make sure that it will be a safe ride.

 • Get a headlight: For those that are bicycling at night do not forget to add a headlight. It not only is required by the law but will keep you safe.

 • Wave: Always wave at the driver! It is easier for drivers to see arms indicating your direction instead of seeing a bicycle coming.

 • Arm Signs: Learn the different arm signs that will let drivers know the direction you are turning.

 • Road Rules: Stop at all stop signs and obey traffic lights.

 • Direction flow: Ride in the direction of traffic so people can predict the movement and direction of a bicyclist. In some states such as Flordia, bicyclists can get a citation for not riding in the same direction as traffic.

 • Keep Your Distance: Stay away from parked cars, for doors can open suddenly.

 • Crossing An Interaction: When you arrive at an intersection, walk your bicycle across the crosswalk.

 • Leader Of The Pack: If riding with a group of people, always ride behind one another to share the road with motorists.

 • Avoid Noise: Avoid wearing listening to music while biking. Many bicycle accidents could have been prevented if riders were not distracted.

 Choosing a Bicycle and Helmet For Your Child 


 • Maturity Level: The most important component of buying a bicycle is the child’s age and the environment they are going to be biking.

 • Be Bold: Make sure that the bicycle is visible to drivers and other cyclists.

 • Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): Each certified helmet will have a sticker that indicates that the helmet is a quality helmet.

 • Check Your Helmet: Because they lose their ability to absorb shock, routinely check your helmet each season.

 • Tight Fitting Helmet: Do not wear a hat underneath.

 • Love Your Helmet: Do not throw your helmet around. A damaged helmet may be unable to protect you in the event of an accident.

 • Spacing: There should be a space of 1-2 inches between your body and the top bar of a road bike, and 3 to 4 inches between your body and the top of a bike.

Caring For Your Bicycle 

 • Inflate Tires: The recommended pressure to inflate your tires is listed on the sidewall of the tire.

 • Regular Maintence: Oil the bike chain regularly and remove any dirt.

 • Adjust The height: Change the handlebars to appropriate height as children frequently have growth spurts.

 • Complete A Break Check: Look for frayed cables and worn-out brake pads.

 • Checking The Tread: Check your tread regularly. By letting the tread on your bicycle wear out you are setting yourself up for danger.

 Health Benefits Of Bicycling 

 • Activation Of Muscles: The muscular system is made stronger and is able to function more efficiently through cycling.

 • Balance: Cycling improves balance through the circulation of oxygen.

 • Calorie Burning: Bicycling not only is good for the environment, but it also burns calories.

 • Exercise Alternative: Bicycling is an alternative exercise for people who are unable to run.

 Hydration and Nutrition 
 • Hydration: For each hour riding drink 20-24 ounces of water. By taking the time to rejuvenate your body you are helping to prevent Charlie Horses and muscle cramps.

 • Weigh Yourself: If you have lost a significant amount of weight, such as a few pounds after a ride, it means that you are dehydrated.

 • Nutrition: Take time to plan your meals to ensure that you are getting your daily need of vitamins to prove ample energy for your ride.

 • Professional Advice: Seek advice from a nutritionist and your general practitioner to help with your training.

One lucky reader has a chance to win some fabulous Tour de France swag, including a Tour De France licensed bike seat, racing gloves, and water bottle.

Simply fill out the required in the Rafflecopter widget below and check back on August 1st to see if you've won!


a Rafflecopter giveaway  


About Cycle Force Group 

Cycle Force Group is an importer of bicycles, parts, and accessories serving all facets of the cycling industry including independent bicycle dealers, sporting goods retailers, e-commerce customers, premium and incentive companies and OEM customers worldwide. Cycle Force Group’s Premium and Incentive Division also offers custom designed products for promotional and incentive needs. Le Tour de France® is a Registered Trademark of, and used under license from Amaury Sport Organization. 

About Tour de France 

The Tour de France is an amazing event that has extraordinary deliverables as an annual global event. The Tour de France is the single most important competition in the entire sport of cycling with billions of viewers each year. With more than 10 million spectators lining the roadway the inherent brand media exposure for Le Tour de France far exceeds the media footprint of all other bicycle brands combined.

Check out The Tour de France on the web:

TourdeFranceCycles.com
Facebook.com/TourdeFranceCyc
Twitter.com/TourdeFranceCyc
Pinterest.com/TourdeFranceCyc
YouTube.com/TourdeFranceCyc

Children's Classics Vol 1: Americana Series Review and Giveaway

*Giveaway now closed*

I have my iPod set up in the playroom for the kids so they can listen to their music while they play, and recently got to add Children's Classics: Americana Series It's Fun to Sing Along from LifePath Entertainment to their playlist. This CD features classic songs that everyone knows, and many of them are some of my kiddos personal favorites. Here's the track list:

1. B-I-N-G-O
2. Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
3. This Old Man
4. The Itsy Bitsy Spider
5. The Old Gray Mare
6. You Are My Sunshine
7. Skip to My Lou
8. Animal Fair
9. If You're Happy and You Know It
10. Me and My Teddy Bear
11. Hey Diddle-Diddle
12. I'm a Little Tea Pot
13. Bear Went Over the Mountain
14. O Where O Where Did My Little Dog Go
15. The Farmer in the Dell
16. Muffin Man
17. London Bridge
18. Mulberry Bush
19. I Love My Dog

All of the songs are great but I have to say I really love Animal Fair and Bear Went Over the Mountain, mainly because these are my kiddos favorites too. Plus, there is nothing more adorable than your kids busting a move to their favorite song.

One lucky reader will have a chance to win their very own copy of It's Fun to Sing Along all you have to do for a required entry is tell me your favorite song from the list.

For additional entries:

• Follow Twice the Love...Reviews
• Follow Twice the Love...Half the Sleep
• "Like" Twice the Love on Facebook
• Follow me on Twitter
• Tweet about this giveaway (I just entered to win a copy ofChildren's Classics It's Fun to Sing Along on Twice the Love Reviews with @amandanethero)
  

I will announce the winner next Friday (10/29/10).

Good luck everyone!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the product mentioned above for free for review purposes from LifePath Entertainment. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

DYMO LabelManager 260 Review and Giveaway

It's no secret that I have my "Monica Geller" moments, especially in my kitchen. Everything has it's own place and when it's out of place I may or may not obsessive over it. I also like to store things in plastic containers to make it easier to stack, which drives Scott crazy because then he doesn't know what's in it. Solution to the problem? Label it with my new DYMO LabelManager 260!

Here's the description from the site:
owered by a lithium-ion battery – the same technology used to power cell phones and laptop computers – the DYMO® LabelManager® 260P label maker eliminates the inconvenience of AA batteries. Charge and go unlike an AC adapter, labeling power whenever you need it. The label maker’s sleek new design is perfect for any office or workspace. Plus it’s packed with new features – inspired by our consumers– that help you get the results you want with more ease and convenience. See what your labels will look like before you print them on a new, large 1.18” x 2.36” screen that displays two lines of text. Work faster with an improved user interface that displays all menu commands without scrolling, and includes easy-to-read icons for formatting options. Choose from 3 fonts and 6 text styles; highlight your text with 8 box styles or underlining. Print up to nine copies of the same label, and prevent repeated work with a 9-label memory and “save text” feature. LabelManager 260P uses DYMO D1 labels in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" widths. Enter text quickly and naturally with the familiar ABC keyboard layout, and use special function keys for fast access to punctuation marks, currency and other special symbols.

I love this label maker! I've labeled just about everything in my kitchen, no seriously. It is really simple to use, and you don't even have to charge it before the first time you use it. I actually haven't had to charge it since I started using it which is awesome.

It's also really fast, I was able to print labels for the container of chopped walnuts, powder sugar, a three containers of cereal, and two containers in my fridge within a matter of minutes (if that). See how great they look:

One lucky reader will get their very own DYMO LabelManager 260! For a required entry simply visit DYMO's website and tell me what other products you like.

For additional entries:

• Follow Twice the Love Reviews
• Follow Twice the Love...Half the Sleep
• "Like" Twice the Love...Half the Sleep on Facebook
• Tweet about this giveaway (@amandanethero is giving away a DYMO LabelManager260 during @multiplenmore's #endofsummerblogparty!) You can tweet once a day until Tuesday September 21.

The winner will be announced on September 22nd and chosen by Random.org. Good luck everyone!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the product mentioned above for free for review purposes from Ketchum. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Life360 Review and Giveaway!

We are a very security conscious family, my husband Scott is a security officer and makes it a top priority in our lives. A while back we were brainstorming on what to put on the kids when we are out in the parks in case we should get separated. When his niece was younger, Scott gave her his business card and told her to show it to the first cast member at Disney she saw in case she got lost. While this is perfect for an older child, this wasn't going to work on our two year olds, enter Life360.



Life360 is a family and security company that offers a variety of services to meet the needs of your whole family. I was able to review the Emergency Child IDs as well as the Emergency IDs for Scott and myself. The child IDs are equipped with Amber-Alert, which God-forbid, anything should happen authorities can be quickly notified and given all of the vital information on your child.



You can also add any allergies, special medical information or other notes you think emergency medical personnel should know. For me, this is perfect because I'm allergic to Percocet. You can also add emergency contacts to each card and link them to email addresses for a quicker response.

There are several options for Emergency IDs, you can get bracelets, cards or shoe clips to name a few. We opted for the shoe clips for the kids since they wouldn't be able to take them off. The clips also have reflective tape, which is nice for when it gets dark. Inside the clip you can either hand write your information or use one of the inserts provided by Life360, which is waterproof. I was able to fit these clips on all of the kids shoes without a problem, even their sandals.



Now if any of your kids are like my daughter Jill, they will try and pull off the clip or cry because "it's not pretty" (diva much?). I found a solution that seems to work for us, I clip it on the back hook of her shorts.

For Scott and myself I purchased Emergency ID cards and key tags. My whole thought process behind this was what if I get in a car accident? Obviously I'll have my keys or my wallet, this way emergency personnel can contact Scott and pull up all of my doctor and medical information. It really is a great product that gives me piece of mind.



All of these products can be tracked through the Life360 website. The website is another great tool from this company. You can view all the products offered by Life360 as well as a map of registered sex offenders in your area. It's nice to be able to have everything right at my fingertips without having to use a dozen different websites.

I really cannot say enough good things about this company, or these products. The customer service is phenomenal, the products are stellar and the feeling of having piece of mind is priceless. Scott even recommends this, especially if you are going to a crowded area, like Disney. Being in security he deals with children separated from families all of the time and products like Life360 greatly decrease the amount of time a child is separated from their parent.

Now the even better news, three lucky readers will each win a set of two IDs from Life360! For a required entry simply tell me why you would love to win this product.

For additional entries:

• Follow Twice the Love Reviews
• Follow Twice the Love...Half the Sleep
• "Like" us on Facebook
• "Like" Life360 on Facebook
• Follow @Life360 on Twitter
• Tweet about this giveaway (I just entered to win a set of 2 IDs from @Life360 & @amandanethero on Twice the Love!) You can tweet once a day for an additional entry until September 20th.

The winners will be chosen using Random.Org and announced on September 21st! Good luck everyone!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the product mentioned above for free for review purposes from Life360. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Play Ball! Review and Giveaway

The kiddos and I recently got some awesome new activity books that feature the Chicago Cubs and the super fantastically awesome Chicago White Sox (can you tell which team I root for?).


These books were created by Peg Connery-Boyd, a mom of baseball-loving sons and illustrated by Scott Waddell. Each book features some of the teams players,Paul Konerko, Carlos Zambrano, Aramis Ramirez, and Mark Buehrle to name a few, as well as word searches, mazes, trivia and other games. The books help teach kids about America's favorite pastime.



My kiddos love these books! Jill was more excited about having a coloring book and Aaron was excited about all of the baseball pages. My sister is even excited about these books and has already claimed all colored photos of A.J. Pierzynski (fun fact: A.J. and my husband Scott went to the same high school).


If the Cubs and White Sox are not your favorite teams, they also offer books for the Mets, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals. All books can be purchased at either amazon.com or at Hawks Nest Publishing. The Cubs and White Sox books are also available at Wrigley Field and U.S. Cellular Field (which will always be Comiskey to me).

Today one lucky reader will win their very own set of Chicago Cubs and White Sox's Play Ball! Coloring books! All you have to do is tell me your favorite baseball team (does not have to be one previously listed).

For additional entries:

• Follow Twice the Love Reviews
• Follow Twice the Love...Half the Sleep
• "Like" Twice the Love on Facebook
• Tweet about this giveaway (I just entered for a chance to win a @whitesox and @cubs coloring book set from @amandanethero and Hawks Nest Publishing!)

Good luck everyone! I will announce the winner on September 20th!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the product mentioned above for free for review purposes from Hawk's Nest Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

IntelliGender and IntelliCeuticals Giveaway!

*This giveaway is now closed*

This week I have the privilege of telling you about IntelliGender and IntelliCeuticals products.


I don't know if a lot of you read Baby Makin(g) Machine, but during her pregnancy Future Mama used the IntelliGender and even did a video on how to use it (check out the video and post here!). The IntelliGender Gender Prediction Test can be used as early as 10 weeks into pregnancy and is about 82% accurate at determining whether you are expecting a BOY or a GIRL. It is crucial to follow the enclosed instructions closely & carefully when taking the test.
IntelliCeuticals, which is part of the IntelliGender family, introduces the best natural remedies to help informed moms and their babies feel happy, healthy and ready for the world each day! The herbal remedies are safe, effective solutions for the health and comfort of mothers-to-be. I wish I would have known about this company when my kiddos were little because I totally could have used the Clear-Away Cradle Cream.
The kind people at IntelliGender are giving away this amazing prize package to one of my lucky readers. Here is what is included in the giveaway:


~ Super cute whimsical box adorned with bugs & butterflies
~ 1 IntelliGender Gender Prediction Test
~ 1 IntelliCeuticals New Mom Rebalancing Drops (something else I wish I had after the kiddos were born!)
~ 1 Lime Green & White Flannel Baby Blanket

For a required entry simply visit IntelliGender website and let me know what product you would love, or would have loved to try.

For additional entries:
Follow Twice the love...Reviews
Follow Twice the love...half the sleep
Like Twice the love...half the sleep on Facebook
Tweet about this giveaway (be sure to include @amandanethero and @intelligender in the tweet)

The winner will be chosen by random.org on Monday July 26th, 2010. Good luck everyone!