The Tag™ Junior Reading System

The Tag Junior Reading System is LeapFrog's electronic reader for toddlers and smaller children (ages 1-4). The $29.99 price tag seemed reasonable, especially given that it included a sample book. This book is the same size as the regular ones, but each page is a preview of other available books; this includes Dora the Explorer, Winnie the Pooh, Sesame Street, Cars, and more. 

Not only does Tag Junior read the words, but it’s also highly interactive. You can pass the reader over anything on the page, even if it’s just a barn and the reader will describe it. The Animals Around The World book is absolutely adorable and informative. Example: If you click on the pig; “Pig! Oink, Oink! A baby pig is called a piglet.” 

There are also several points in the books in which the reader will play an educational song. This is my daughter’s favorite part and she will put the Tag Junior down and dance around it while it plays.

Like other LeapFrog products, the Tag Junior is customizable to some level. Because Tag Junior is a simpler instrument, you can only program it to say your child’s name and download the audio for the books.

The latter is my one issue with the Tag Junior. It only has a storage capacity of about 5 MB. Each book is over 1 MB, and the small book sets are over 3 MB. This means you can only hold a few books at a time, no matter how many you own. The  idea of unscrewing the back, plugging in the USB port, waiting for LeapFrog Connect to load, and then downloading and adding the book each time my daughter wants to switch is a pain in my “bottom” (to use kid-friendly terms). 

But, here’s the thing, she LOVES the Tag Connect. It transports her little toddler self to a world she couldn’t otherwise have on her own. So this mama will put up with the minor annoyance in exchange for that payout. 

Rachelle Mathis | Editor-At-Large | AllRomance Ebooks Best Selling Author  
"Like the long extinct dodo birds that were native only to the islands of Mauritius prior to roughly 1681, I am both utterly fearless and defenseless. Someone once told me that my analysis of possible faux pas is unrivaled. I believe in a loving God, handwritten thank you cards, and conducting yourself in the manner becoming of a lady." To contact Rachelle, send an email to rachelle@surveyorsofstyle.com.

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TYLT Energi Travel Charger

When I travel, I am on my phone constantly. As soon as the flight attendant says we can turn on our electronic devices, I’m there. Then from tweeting pictures and texting people to Googling a random dubious “fact” someone is telling me, my Droid is practically glued to my hand. Naturally, all of this drains my battery and I end up scrambling for a convenient place to plug it in.

And that is why I decided to try TYLT’sEnergi Travel Charger with Built-In Battery. The device is roughly the size of my palm, so it’s small enough to toss in a purse or carry-on for easy on-the-go charging.

One of my favorite things about this charger is that it’s self-contained. The part you plug into your phone (TYLT calls it a Flex Charging Arm) tucks right into the charger. And the charger’s outlet prongs fold into the Energi as well. There’s nothing to find when you need it (or lose when you’re not using it, if you’re forgetful like me).

Part of the brilliance of the Energi is that it can be used three different ways:

1)      1) As a travel charger

2)      2) As a home wall charger

3)      3) As a battery pack (which lengthens the usage time of your phone)

Originally, I thought that I would only need the Energi while traveling. Then, last night, I was curled up on the sofa, sick to my stomach. My phone was dying and the cord isn’t long enough to be plugged in while I use it. Out came the Energi, and I was able to cordlessly charge my phone while still using it to bemoan my sorry state on Twitter. 

I’m in love with this little gadget, but like any relationship, there’s always one little thing you wish you could change. For me and the Energi, it’s the color. Plain black is fine (yawn), but TYLT’s other products are available in so many great colors, I wish that they had spread the hue love to the Energi.

Rachelle Mathis | Editor-At-Large | AllRomance Ebooks Best Selling Author  
"Like the long extinct dodo birds that were native only to the islands of Mauritius prior to roughly 1681, I am both utterly fearless and defenseless. Someone once told me that my analysis of possible faux pas is unrivaled. I believe in a loving God, handwritten thank you cards, and conducting yourself in the manner becoming of a lady." To contact Rachelle, send an email to rachelle@surveyorsofstyle.com.

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Trunki: Kids Travel Products

It’s a toy. It’s luggage. It’s Trunki.

Trunki was designed with the worries parents go through at the airport in mind. How do I keep my child from wandering off? How can I carry both her and her luggage? What will we do when she gets bored?

The answer to all of those questions is a piece of luggage that a child can ride-on. Parents can pull Trunki along by a strap, or the child can scoot it with their feet. It’s practical for those infinite stretches from gate to gate, as it keeps little legs up and rolling rather than plodding along. And Trunki is useful for delays and long waits, because your child can entertain themselves with it (Trunki’s website suggests setting up a small obstacle course!) And let’s not forget that it carries their clothes, toys, books, and other travel necessities. 

Trunki is offered in so many colors that I had a hard time choosing just one. We finally settled on the Trunki Ruby (ladybug style), but they have tie-dye, pink, orange, blue, yellow, purple, and more.

When reading reviews before I purchased Trunki for my own daughter, I saw that many parents of older kids had commented that the 75 lb. weight limit seemed way off, as their 60 lb. children were splitting the sides.  My daughter is less than 30 lbs., so this isn’t even remotely an issue for us. However, I think a 50 lb. weight limit seems more reasonable. I can’t imagine our Trunki holding anywhere near 75 lbs. 

Trunki is a great option for parents with travel on the brain, but for those with older and/or heavier children, caveat emptor.

Rachelle Mathis | Editor-At-Large | AllRomance Ebooks Best Selling Author  
"Like the long extinct dodo birds that were native only to the islands of Mauritius prior to roughly 1681, I am both utterly fearless and defenseless. Someone once told me that my analysis of possible faux pas is unrivaled. I believe in a loving God, handwritten thank you cards, and conducting yourself in the manner becoming of a lady." To contact Rachelle, send an email to rachelle@surveyorsofstyle.com.

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Babycakes Waffle Maker

Gentlemen, if your heart is in the right place, a woman will appreciate nearly any gift you give her (I’m not going to have your back if that gift is a bowling ball with your name on it, though). However, if you put your brain into planning a surprise for her, you will reap bonus points beyond measure. And I’m going to make that easy for you.

Here is where the Babycakes Waffle Maker by Select Brands comes into play. Now, before you balk at purchasing (and using) something with Babycakes in the name, take heart. Repeat after me. It’s for the woman you love. No, seriously, it’s a gift for her. Use it once, and then let her delight over its adorable ability to make heart-shaped waffles on sticks. You don’t have to claim it. Trust me, it's worth the mere $29.99 + shipping.

The Babycakes Waffle Maker comes with all the basic accessories you will need to make her morning grand; a shaker for powdered sugar, ¼ cup measuring cup, and 50 wooden sticks. Follow the simple directions, and in 3-6 minutes, you will be ready to win her heart all over again.

When the treats are puffed up to perfection, arrange them (yes- some decorating is involved) in a short decorative glass (or, hey, a regular glass with some flower petals tucked at the bottom), scoop some of that delicious dip (see recipe below) into a small bowl, then circle your significant other’s favorite sliced fruit around both.  Then prepare yourself to be adored, and carry it to where your woman waits in bed. I’ll leave you to it.

Fruit Dip Recipe

1 package softened cream cheese (8 oz.)

1 jar marshmallow crème (7 oz.)

Vanilla Extract (3 drops)

Combine and blend cream cheese and marshmallow crème until it’s as smooth as you are (or, in case you’re not smooth at all, until there are no lumps). Add the drops of vanilla. Continue to blend until mixture is creamy. Voila!

Rachelle Mathis | Editor-At-Large | AllRomance Ebooks Best Selling Author  
"Like the long extinct dodo birds that were native only to the islands of Mauritius prior to roughly 1681, I am both utterly fearless and defenseless. Someone once told me that my analysis of possible faux pas is unrivaled. I believe in a loving God, handwritten thank you cards, and conducting yourself in the manner becoming of a lady." To contact Rachelle, send an email to rachelle@surveyorsofstyle.com.

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Sesame Street Fizzy Tub Colors

Small children go through phases. Unfortunately, sometimes one of those phases is that they don’t want to take a bath. Suddenly, a kid who used to be half-fish acts like a cat around a tub full of water. So, as parents, we need tricks and (yes) bribery.

This is where the Sesame Street Fizzy Tub Colors come in handy. Some days, it’s all I have in my arsenal to coax my daughter into the bath. Luckily, she vastly enjoys the “magic” of turning her water a bright, happy color.

The tablets come in yellow, red, and blue. From there, your child can practice which primary colors make what secondary colors (purple, orange, etc). As would be expected, at times a child likes to stick to the basics and just have two of the same color. This can create a rather icky visual for the parent/caregiver when the child just wants yellow…but hey, that’s his/her journey.

And because younger children have a tendency to put things in their mouths, the Fizzy Tub Colors contain Bitterguard, which discourages consumption. Out of curiosity, I tasted a tab and can confirm that they are indeed bitter. The formula is also designed to be mild on the skin and fragrance-free.

For a super fun bath treat, combine the Fizzy Tub Colors with bubble bath and let your child get clean in a bubbly, colorful wonderland.

Rachelle Mathis | Editor-At-Large | AllRomance Ebooks Best Selling Author  
"Like the long extinct dodo birds that were native only to the islands of Mauritius prior to roughly 1681, I am both utterly fearless and defenseless. Someone once told me that my analysis of possible faux pas is unrivaled. I believe in a loving God, handwritten thank you cards, and conducting yourself in the manner becoming of a lady." To contact Rachelle, send an email to rachelle@surveyorsofstyle.com.

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