It’s not at all uncommon for folks nowadays to have many various home fragrance products in use in their house at one time. There are candles, of course, and room sprays, potpourri, sachets…name an area of your home and chances are someone has invented a product to make it smell good! And that includes your bed. While there are already sprays and other fresheners on the market that are made to scent linens, there’s a new product that is unlike anything ever seen before. It’s called Bed Bouquet, and it keeps your bed smelling fresh without having an overpowering scent, and also without any oils or chemicals touching your skin or your bed sheets! Sound great? There’s more! Bed Bouquet is really easy to use: just peel off the tabs on the front and back and stick it directly under your fitted sheet. You can place it near your head if you like a stronger fragrance, or near the middle or foot of the bed for a more subtle experience. This product is made specifically so that it won’t be felt by users when they lay on it in bed at night. I know I never felt mine!

Bed Bouquet comes in four scents: Citrus, Lavender &Vanilla, Linen Fresh, and Jasmine and White Rose. Each Bed Bouquet lasts for up to 30 days.

Several of our bloggers recently had the chance to test out Bed Bouquet for themselves. Here’s what they thought of the product:

Forgetfulone: I love anything with fragrance that will keep my sheets or room smelling fresh. I even put one on my son’s bed, and he hasn’t even noticed it’s there, but you can tell there is a subtle fragrance to his sheets.

Maria’s Space: I placed it near my shoulders and over the past two nights I can smell it. It is still subtle but the smell is there. I had actually forgotten that it was there last night. When I went to bed (it was late), I remembered when I got a whiff as I rolled over.

3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires: I think Bed Bouquet is a product for anyone from tweens to college students to adults. It is a good alternative to using fabric softener sheets on your bed and messy linen sprays. A Bed Bouquet packet would definitely make a unique stocking stuffer for the holidays.

A Simple Kinda Life: I love waking up to the Linen Fresh scent - it’s not too strong and it’s a great scent. I’m sure I’ll love the Citrus scent just as much, after the Linen Fresh scent wears out in 3 more weeks! (Each product lasts for about 30 days.)

Lisa Reviews: You put the Bed Bouquet unit above the top mattress and beneath the fitted sheets. It’s not anything you actually will notice once you are in bed (besides the wonderful smell).  We also tend to end up with a 5 year old and a 2 year old in our bed, and they haven’t been bothered by it either.

Nerdfamily Things: It is really rather simple to use. It is a thin little packet that has little vent holes on one side and an adhesive strip on the other. You just place it in between the mattress pad and the sheet. Then stick it to the mattress pad. The amount of smell you desire will effect the placement: more smell put it under your pillow, less down by the foot of your bed. We used the linen scent and it was very nice!

A Couch With A View: Though it wasn’t time for bed, I curled up in my spot to check it out and see if it smelled through the sheet… sure enough, it was the perfect strength and it smelled lovely! And lasting about 30 days, I won’t have to worry about it again for a few more weeks!

Robyn’s Online World: I did not read the instructions at first (that is honestly unusual for me) and I put it under his mattress pad and such. After moving it to just below his fitted sheet we finally noticed a very gently scent. Not overpowering at all.

A Nut in a Nutshell: I liked the idea when I set out to review this, but I was very leery about it because I’m sensitive to scents. If they’re too strong, I’ll get an instant headache. I tried the linen fresh scent first and put it at the foot of the bed. Surprisingly, I felt as if I wanted more scent. So I moved it up to the head of the bed between the two pillows.

Tara’s View of the World: The Bed Bouquet is quite easy to use- simply peel off the tab on the front exposing the fragrance vents and then peel off the back and stick it on your mattress, underneath your fitted sheet. Where you place the Bed Bouquet dictates how strong the scent will be- the closer to your head you place it the stronger the scent will be.

She Scribes: I just think that due to the fact that I always have something scented in my home that maybe I’m just accustomed to more stronger scents. Bed Bouquet is very light. Some people enjoy a hint of a scent where as I think I need a more bolder scent.

All Because Two People Fell in LOVE: The Bed Bouquet was super easy to apply! They really do smell great, and do a great job of keeping our sheets smelling fresh and clean. Our Bed Bouquet has been on for over a week now and our sheets still smell great! Since the Bed Bouquet makes no contact with the skin I knew it would be safe to use on my kid’s beds as well!

The Clan McLeod:  The scent is gentle and refreshing, yet not overpowering. Like a lot of scent? Place it about where your shoulders lay. Want a little less? Place about midway in the bed. I like mine a bit past midway but not quite to the shoulders. And, it really does last about 30 days. And, it really does stick and stay there! And, no, you can’t tell it’s there unless you are looking for it!

Something Snappy: I found that this worked best at the top of the mattress between the pillows. This allowed both DH and I to enjoy the Fresh Linen fragrance. I put the citrus one on Sierra’s bed and she too enjoyed the wonderful, but not overpowering aroma.

Angela’s Analysis:  I LOVED the fresh linen the best, it is wonderful!  Every night when I get in bed I have this fresh scent.  Life is so full of stress, bed bouquet is such a simple way to just pamper yourself a little.  There is no skin contact either so it elimantes skin irritations.

The Post-It Place: I started out with my Bed Bouquet near the head of the mattress. Well, that was a little too strong for me so I placed it in the middle of the mattress which turned out to be perfect. I think as the days go by and the fragrance pack isn’t as strong I will be able to move it up…but for at least the first week mine will always go in the middle.

Rummino is suggested for ages 8 and up, but many of our reviewers thought that kids even younger could likely play with a little help. If you’re familiar with Rummy, you should catch on to Rummino very quickly, but even those who have never played Rummy have a lot of fun with this game once they get the hang of it! Rummino requires two to six players, so it would be perfect for family gatherings or game nights!

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Rummino is a whole new way to play Rummy! Combining the game play of Rummy with the strategy of word tile games, Rummino is a one of a kind master strategy game for the whole family. The object is to get the highest score at the end of the game. Each player draws 7 tiles and plays them off the sets and runs already on the table. Earn points for every tile you add-on to a run or set. Get a two way run and earn extra points. Finish off a run or set and double or triple your points for that play. The perfect game for family game night, Rummino is easy to learn and fun for the whole family to play! With its ease of learning combined with the strategy involved, this game keeps everyone entertained from the 8 year old learning to play games to the skilled adults desiring a challenge. Watch your opponents moan and groan as you use one tile to score 36 points! Gather your buddies, gather your family, gather all your gaming friends and play Rummino today!

Several of our reviewers had the opportunity to review Rummino recently. Here’s what they had to say:

Maria’s Space: Fun, easy to learn, and I am dying to play again! That basically sums up a good game to me. The only problem I had was that you really need a tile holder. You have to keep your tiles a secret from the enemy other player. It is nearly impossible to keep the tiles from falling over and letting your enemy friend see your tiles.

The Clan McLeod: We had a blast playing Rummino! It was hard to get started and we all had loads of questions, even after reading the rules of play, which we found a bit confusing and not quite clear enough. However, once we actually got going, we figured it out as we went and we all really enjoyed playing, from my 9 year old daughter to Grandpa! Kristin, my 9 year old, beat us all and loved it!

All Because Two People Fell in LOVE: I really appreciate that they included a bag for the tiles. We have a bit of a hard time keeping up with game pieces at our house so the bag is perfect! It also makes storage and transporting the game tons easier. We loved the big tiles, which made it easier for little ones to handle.

She Scribes: I’m giving Rummino a “two thumbs up”. It’s a fun game that engages both children and adults. I like that it’s challenging and does require some thought more so then skill.

Mama Sparkles: At first when I saw all the letter tiles, I worried that it would be too much like Scrabble. I’m a horrible Scrabble player because I tend to get too caught up in making long, creative words rather than focusing on making a lot of points. Thankfully, Rummino is nothing like that. There are no words to create, so I could just concentrate on getting lots of points!

Mudpies and Mary Janes: The game is for ages 8 and up, but my daughter, who is a little younger, picked the game up fairly quickly. The only problem that she had was keeping her tiles from falling down. We quickly remedied that problem by using our scrabble tile holders.

A Couch with a View: Rummino has been an awesome addition to our game collection and a must needed, well deserved break from the crazyness of everyday. Though it took us a minute to get used to the new rules and regulations of Rummino, we quickly caught on and before we knew it, we had played 3 rounds of it!!

Rockin’ Mama: The game is fun, challenging, and won’t get tiresome or boring. It’s relatively easy to learn yet provides enough challenge for my husabnd and I got get a bit competitive.  I like the weaving of a traditional card game that people know and love with a tile game.  There is a familiar yet fresh feel to this game that I really appreciate.

The Post-It Place: It took us a little while to get going good but once we did we all loved Rummino. The only bad thing I can say is that I wish they had a little clearer directions, other than that, it is tons of fun and your family will love adding this game to their Family Game Night. We did eventually figure it all out after a round or two, and after that it was all fun ahead. We have dragged some family friends in to play and now have them as addicted to the game as we are…but I figure that once they have the chance to beat me, they will forgive me.

A Nut in a Nutshell: We’ve never even played a game of Rummy, so I wondered if we’d have a clue what we were doing. It took us a bit to get the hang of it, but once we did, we really had a great time. In fact, we got pretty darn competitive in an I love you but I’m totally going to kick your butt in this game way.

The Power of Housewife Word of Mouth: Last weekend I had to work at the gym running a birthday party so the girls and two of their friends occupied themselves with their newest game of choice Rummino (…) They were more interested in playing several rounds than getting involved in helping me run the birthday party. I love that our family game night now has another game added in to our rotation and I know we will be playing it for years to come.

An Island Life: All you need to play Rummino are the actual tiles (and instructions with pen/paper to keep score as we highly competitive people like to do). You can actually store everything in the drawstring bag and toss the square box it came in if you lack storage (like we do). The drawstring bag makes it the practical and easy way to transport this game for game night with friends and family, or in the suitcase for a family vacation.

Angela’s Analysis: My husband and I have always enjoyed playing the card game rum,  so we were excited to try this.   It is a fun game,  it doesn’t take you long to really get into it and it is a game your older children could play with you for sure.  The tiles are a really nice size with big letters so they are easy to see.  I’m not sure the younger kids would get it all but some might.

Sassy Frazz: Scoring is a point per tile played, but you can score points either horizontally or vertically. It is possible to get over 20 points in one turn, and if you can use all your tiles, you get a Rummino (scoring an additional 20 points). This game is super fun, and I am happy to have it in our collection of games.

Wish List Worthy: Do you enjoy games in your home as well? If you do, this is one that is worth checking out. Don’t let the simplicity of play fool you though, it’s a game that can be both challenging and entertaining every time you play!

Something Snappy: Sierra doesn’t like to play cards much yet as her little hands have a harder time holding them but she dove right in to Rummino! and was a master in no time! The game is recommended for children 8and over but Sierra had no issues with understanding the concept and the numbers and letters on the tiles so I think kids even younger could play this with no problems. And dh and I have found that we can really get cutthroat playing it by ourselves - it’s a great strategic game for all levels!

Happy Healthy Families: Rummino, by Marina Games is kind of like a cross between Rummy and Scrabble. I found it to be challenging and fun, especially after we all got the hang of it. Rummino is recommended for ages 8 , but I have to say that my two munchkin boys have their own fun with the tiles matching and guessing the letters.

Nerdfamily Things: Here at the NerdFamily House we are huge gamers. To the point that NerdDad and I spend some of our date nights playing board games;). So I was excited when we received our copy of Rummino to review. It is a rummy dominoes game. This game is great because people of all different skill can play it and it can become as easy or as hard as you can make it. So everyone in the family can play it!

Just a Mom’s Take on Things: One thing I do really like about this game is that you can play it with as much or as little strategy as you want, depending on who you’re playing with. And it’s practically a new game every time you play, because you start off and build on new sets of tiles every time. Even my 3-year-old has fun drawing tiles and finding the matches to build sets – even if she doesn’t really know that’s what she’s doing.

The Angel Forever: We put all of the tiles back and started again. This time, we were a bit more competitive. We knew what we were doing and sat there trying to use major strategy to rack up our points. The game lasted for quite some time, but it was a lot of fun. Both TechyDad and I commented today that if we do indeed get rid of our cable television we will have more time to play Rummino and our other cleverly hidden games from the past.

Brimful Curiosities: At first, I thought Rummino sounded relatively simple, but it does require quite a bit of thought and strategy. My husband and I sat down one night and tried it out. It took us a few practice times and several glances at the rules before we caught on. Once you get the hang of it though, the game gets easier. Like they say, practice makes perfect.

The Mommy Files : The game is simple and fun!  The object of the game is to get the highest score.  Each player draws 7 tiles and plays them off the sets and runs already on the table.  Earn points for every tile you “add-on” to a run or set.  Get a two way run and earn extra points.  Finish off a run or set and double or triple your points for the play.

Some very lucky FRN member had the opportunity to personalized their very own Obama Time Capsule book. Here’s what they had to say:

All Because Two People Fell in LOVE: The customization process online is really simple and only took us a few minutes to complete. This site offers an informative video that walks you through the process of creating your own book. We were very pleased with the quality of our book. It’s a hardback of over 200 pages that include amazing images and lots of resourceful information. The book walks you through Obama’s journey beginning with the campaign. It also includes highlights from the election, inauguration, and the many events that occurred the first 100 days of President Obama’s time in office.

A Simple Kinda Life: There’s great quotes from President Obama, as well as many other prominent figures, TONS of facts, and countless great photos. Even though my son is technically the “owner” of this book, I am so proud to have this book in my home. Never in my life did I think that I would see an African-American be elected as President of our great Nation, and now I am the proud owner of The Obama Time Capsule, a great keepsake, with my son listed as an author! We can pass this down from generation to generation and I’m sure that it will stand the test of time due to its quality. The book is excellently made!

A Wrestling Addicted Mommy: We have a lot of Obama memorabilia already but adding this book to our collection was a must. We were able to add our family and our girls to this great part of history. Our family photo on the back cover, our names on the front cover and a few picture’s inside of my girls and our Obama inauguration cupcakes as well as a dedication to our children and a few customized pages with our family name. The Obama Time Capsule puts you into history and makes it fun and exciting.

Brain Foggles: I was so pleased when my book arrived. It is hardcover with heavy paper that will last a very long time. The photos are top notch, even the ones that I provided. I was not expecting this quality as well as the “story” that ran throughout the book.

Happy Healthy Families: I absolutely was enthralled with the fact that I could customize this book. I dedicated it to my husband, and was able to personalize the dedication page as well. I included several different pictures of my husband, myself and one of my hubby and daughter together. I was able to customize and personalize the book online in a very short time. The hardest part for me was deciding on which pictures to use. It is truly an incredible piece of history, that will be a special keepsake in our family always

Mom of 2 Dancers Reviews: What I love about The Obama Time Capsule is you get to add a part of you into this history. You can pick a name to go on the front cover, a picture on the back cover plus you get to customize a couple pages on the inside.

Robyn’s Online World: While we love the customization, I was pleasantly surprised with the actual book itself. It is a hardback, 200+ page book filled with great images, interesting graphics, and wonderful text. Spanning the campaign, election, inauguration, and the first 100 days of President Obama’s term, the book is compelling and informative. There is even information on the Republican candidates which I felt was a good inclusion of the book. Taylor has always liked the more “real” moments where he sees President Obama using his Blackberry, playing with his kids, and just being a “normal” guy - the book has plenty of photographs that convey this image which made Taylor pleased.

Seeryus Mama: Overall, it’s a beautiful book. The pictures are absolutely stunning, flipping through it just gives me goose bumps. To see the photos that were flashed in the news and to read the quotes that were said, it’s amazing. I’m very thankful to have the chance to share this opportunity with you, a little piece of history that you too can make, for yourself, your child, or other family members. This book will always be around for Johnny, who knows, he could show his children what role he played in the election process!

The Dirty Shirt: This book is truly one of a kind and I loved the process of making it and now that I have it I love it even more. It is a great history book that not only can I read through and learn more from but so can my children and it will be a great tool to use in our homeschooling. And what makes it even better, because I was able to personalize it I have pictures of me in the book like I was there. That makes it all the more special.

Welcome to Motherhood: I had the opportunity to personalize the THE OBAMA TIME CAPSULE photo book with my son’s pictures and name. This photo book embarks on President Obama’s historic journey to the White House, Election Day, the Inauguration and his first 100 days in office. It also includes essays from TIME magazine’s Joe Klein, The Huffington Post’s Arianna Huffington, General Colin Powell and President Obama’s sister, Auma Obama.

Be a part of history in the making by personalizing your very own Obama Time Capsule book at Amazon.com for only $34.95. What a great holiday gift this would make for the special people in your lives!

“We are over the moon that The Wiggles are joining Sprout,” said Andrew Beecham, senior vice president of programming at Sprout. “The Wiggles are legendary in the preschool world. We are excited to start developing new content with them and establishing them as a vital brand on Sprout. The Wiggles will be fully integrated into all three of Sprout’s viewing platforms – on-air, online and on demand – and we can’t wait to get started on introducing them to new audiences and continuing to build upon their already amazing presence in the preschool market.”

Wiggles games, videos, coloring pages and more are now available on SproutOnline.com. For additional information on Sprout programs or schedules, visit SproutOnline.com. To find out where Sprout is available in your area, call 1.866.9.SPROUT.

OUR REVIEW

Some of our members had the opportunity to watch The Wiggles on DVD. Here’s what they had to say:

A Couch With A View: Our house, somehow, became big fans of The Wiggles. I’m not even sure how it happened because the teeny little cable company at the old house didn’t even offer whatever channel The Wiggles are on. I’ve got dvds, vhs tapes, Boug’s been to see the live show and that octopus guy is floating around our house somewhere. I have to admit, I’ve caught myself singing along with so many of the songs… not only while they’re on, but even if something triggers a Wiggles song to pop into my head.

Go Graham Go: We were sent the Sing a Song of Wiggles DVD to check out! Not only did Graham like it, but I liked it! If you aren’t familiar with the Wiggles they are a group of 4 guys along with some fun friends who entertain and educate by using catchy and silly songs. The Sing a Song of Wiggles DVD takes some familiar nursery rhymes and cranks them up a notch Wiggle style! Graham’s favorite is Humpty Dumpty. I actually catch him singing this version of Humpty Dumpty while he is playing sometimes.

Lisa Reviews: With moving over to a new network, they also have released a new DVD out called Sing A Song Of Wiggles. This DVD is full of nursery rhymes that we all know and love performed by The Wiggles. There is everything from Sing A Song of Sixpence to I’m a Little Teapot. It’s hard to stop yourself from singing along, but it’s a great way to introduce these nursery rhymes to your children. If you are a Wiggles fan, this is a must have DVD.

The Angel Forever: Not only are The Wiggles on Sprout, but they have a new show that is on weekday mornings from 6-9 on Sprout. Sadly, our cable company (Time Warner) does not provide us with Sprout. We have been asking for it for many years now, but still have not been able to get it. Of course, with The Wiggles move to Sprout I am once again starting my crusade to get this cable station added in our area. I not only went to WigglesPlease.com, I am also planning to call my Time Warner Cable to make the request again.

What’s That Smell?: We are Wiggles fans from way back. My son is almost 6 and when he was around 2 years old, probably until he was 4 he adored The Wiggles. He even had a Wiggles toddler bed, bedding and curtains. He had all the branded toys, and always asked to watch them on television. Even my husband is a fan, especially after seeing one of their Christmas specials (yes they use the word Christmas) and hearing them sing about Jesus. Personally I had a little crush on Anthony.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Like many people, I am thoroughly enchanted by the Halloween season and month of October. And since the organ is the instrument blood-related to Halloween, writing Halloween music came as a big, “Well, of course you need to write Halloween music.” The Halloween Carols are a collection I have written for the purpose of celebrating Halloween and the fall season. They are each based on a bit of Halloween history and lore. To date, I have over 60 carols written and am recording and releasing them in batches of 13.

OUR REVIEW

Some of our members had the opportunity to review the Halloween Carols CD and host a giveaway for their lucky readers. Here’s what they had to say:

All Because Two People Fell in LOVE: We love this original CD at our house! I love that we now have an elegant alternative to the traditional sound effect Halloween CDs! This great CD includes music that all ages can enjoy! A Broom With A View is a fascinating CD that we enjoy listening to.

A Simple Kinda Life: I put this CD in the other day while my children were in the car and at first they were complaining, saying that the songs didn’t sound like Halloween songs. I explained that the artist sings them like Christmas Carols, and to be quiet and listen to the words, then all was quiet. Except for the sound of Kristen’s beautiful voice.

Chocolate Fingerprints: I found it extremely interesting that Lawrence wrote every Halloween Carol so that it can be sung in rounds (you know…like “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”). For me, this adds a whole new and extremely fun dimension to the songs, and I know my children and I will have hours of fun singing the songs this way, once we get to know them a little better.

Mommablogsalot: In my humble opinion, the result is brilliant. I found A Broom With a View hauntingly beautiful, reminiscent of the music from Phantom of the Opera (because of the organ music no doubt) and Danny Elfman (whom Kristen mentions as an inspiration to her) in it’s spooky style. If you like Danny Elfman, Andrew Lloyd Webber or the Halloween season, you will likely adore these carols.

My Organized Chaos: We have played these CD’s in the house everyday since we got it, especially when decorating. It has really gotten us in the Halloween mood! Unlike some tacky music that can be heard at this time of year, this blend is certainly refreshing. Some of the songs resemble lullabies, which has been a nice change in this house {compared to loud cartoons and kids’ toys}. I really do think Kristin is onto something here. It really made me think…most artists, at some point, create a Christmas CD - so why not Halloween? Making those memories a little extra special is nice, especially while we carve pumpkins and hand out candy!

My Sentiments ExactLee: My favorites were the traditional (think scary like I had expected) Mostly Ghostly, though the lyrics are far from scary and the Vampire Empire which also had a bit of an eery effect.
Call me a Traditionalist, I do like my creepy music at Halloween. But I also have small children so Kristen Lawrence’s Halloween Carols were a perfect mix!

Riding With No Hands: Kristin, a trained organist, (that’s an illustration of her there, on the cover!) has always been enchanted by the Halloween season and has written over 60 of these carols, releasing them 13 at a time. Her newest album is called A Broom With A View. It includes some of the most beautiful organ music I have ever heard. Usually when you think of Halloween music, “Monster Mash” and cheesy sound effects come to mind. With Kristen’s Halloween Carols, this no longer has to be the case!

She Scribes: I was expecting it to be a CD filled with scary music with howls and monsters laughing in the background. I couldn’t have been any further from the truth! “A Broom with a View” is NOT your usual Halloween fare but instead a collection fo Halloween related songs song in a way that is reminiscent of beautiful Christmas Carols. The songs are haunting, but not in a scary way.

Simply Cathi: My grandchildren and I had a delightful time listening to both Halloween Carols and A Broom With A View. The music is enchanting and at times eerie. Kristen’s harmony with the organ is mesmerizing. Her voice pulls your in until you are walking with the “Cats In The Catacombs”. And…the packaging is as intriguing as the music.

Something Snappy: Sierra and I were so excited to put this in and listen to it while driving across town and she was so enthralled that when we arrived at our destination she didn’t want to get out of the van, but wanted to sit and listen to more! Kristen Lawrence is a very gifted musician/composer and having played the organ for many years myself I was very appreciative of her talent and hard work that went into this collection. To me, it is a combination of classical, rock and some folk thrown in for flavor. Honestly this is a CD that I will probably listen to year round!

Tara’s View of the World: Kristen Lawrence has a beautiful voice and the songs on the CD are very surreal-feeling. This would be the perfect cd to play on Halloween night. The music isn’t scary though- there are no sounds of chainsaws or screaming or anything. They are lovely in a spooky eerie sort of way. This is definitely a CD for all you Halloween-lovers out there!

The Mom Buzz: My husband loved the music – he is going to bring it to his office to play there. The music is eerie – but not “corny” or trite. You definitely get a “Halloween” feel when you listen to the organ and melody. There are some recognizable “Halloween” sounds that accompany some of the songs – most noticeable to me was a cat that was meowing. Amazing how a cat can really add to the music!

The Mommy-Files: I really enjoyed Arachnitect, as it had songs that were easy and enjoyable to listen to. Kristen creates Halloween Carols that are in the format of Christmas Carols. You have to see for yourself how enjoyable they are. I would say they are ideal for any Halloween Celebration!

Wish List Worthy: Not only is the music a lot of fun to listen to, I really loved the way it was packaged. It arrived in a special black sack, something that reminded me of a perfect Halloween treat. The cover art on the discs, and everything just set a great Halloween mood, before the music even started!

So, when planning your Halloween gathering this year, consider checking out the music of Kristen Lawrence, Halloween Carols. The CD sells for $13.95. Enjoy!