I just went and signed up – maybe I will be chosen! That would mean some neat freebies to test out and maybe even a feature in the magazine.

My dear friend Connie is hosting a Mother’s Day gift giving event all April! She will be reviewing various cool things that make great gifts for mom (tell your kids and husbands!) Be sure to check it out!

Five Minutes for Mom is hosting the Ultimate Blog Party 2010 RIGHT NOW – so get over there and check out some really truly awesome blogs!

Another friend – Cindi – is doing a phenomenal service for her fellow work-at-home-mom’s (and grandmom’s!) by hosting a great WAHM Link Luv event! All you need to do is visit her website and if you are a WAHM you can leave your link for free! Don’t forget to leave a comment and share some of the luv back to Cindi though – it’s only fair

Learn how to get your home office organized (boy do I need this!) – 3BoysandaDog is hosting an organizational series all April. Be sure to check it out – you might just learn some great tips and maybe even win some great prizes!

Parent Reviewers is always doing something special for its readers – and since it’s almost Earth Day there are some super special reviews and giveaways! Be sure to check them out and subscribe so you can be kept up to date!

Are you hosting an event this month? Be sure to leave a comment with your information!

This month the theme of the review is “Valentine Gifts” in honor of February’s most loving holiday! Have you done a review of a product that would make a great gift for you sweetie? Got a Valentine’s Day related Gift Guide? Go ahead and submit it for the carnival!
Valerie from Let’s Just Give It Away has a great review of Eden Fantasy’s Bwarm Candle and Inttimo Skin Kreme.

Cindi from Moomette’s Magnificents presents her review of a Womens Scarf and Pashmina from Affordable Scarves.

Crystal from Cinnamon Hollow WAHM Reviews presents two reviews – custom designed jewelry from Charitable Creations  and Leslie Blodgett Bare Skin Perfume!

Connie from BrainFoggles has for us a great review of lingerie from Yandy!

Related articles by Zemanta

• Happy Valentine’s Day 2010 (purseblog.com)
• The Sims 3 Gets Sweet And Sultry For Valentine’s Day [Valentine's Day] (kotaku.com)

Between January 1st and January 10th I received a bunch of entries and had to leave a couple out this time around. But – I’ve got them already in my list for next months Review Blog Carnival!

Here are our featured bloggers:

1. Lisa from Lisa Reviews presents her review on the fantastic kids movie “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” I personally loved this movie – it seems Lisa’s kid’s did also – go check out the post to learn what they thought!
2. JavaMom from Caffeine And A Prayer has written a great review on the popular kids series Sesame Street! Her review was based on her family’s viewing of the DVD “Sesame Street 40 Years of Sunny Skies.”
3. Connie from BrainFoggles has a great review to share on a product that promises to keep your sweet little babies clean and dry during their feedings! She reviews the Scrunch Bottle Bib – what a neat invention!
4. JavaMom is also sharing her review (posted on Caffeinated Reviews) of the Snack and Play Travel Tray – a soft strap-on tray for children, for strollers and car seats. Great for traveling as well as every day.
5. Moomette’s Magnificents (by the lovely Cindi) is sharing her review of Southern Magnolia Minerals makeup. If you have ever wanted to try mineral makeup here’s your chance to learn more!
6. Everyone Loves to Dance might be a CD that is geared toward children – but Connie from BrainFoggles seems to love it right along with her kids! There is even a giveaway going on – so check it out.
7. Just in time for Valentine’s Day – Winnie the Pooh and friends discover what being a loving friend really means. The Review Broads are bringing you their thoughts on this great children’s DVD “Winnie the Pooh: A Valentine for You Special Edition” – they are even running a giveaway!
8. Cindi at Moomette’s Magnificents would also love to share their review on Ageless anti age perfume!
9. Julianne from Buy By Mom Blog writes that she is so excited to introduce you to Three Yellow Starfish. I first found her on another blog, and just had to know more. Her work in her etsy shop is simply breathtaking! Go ahead and visit Julianne and check out her review!
10. Gail from GrowMap would like to share some information on how you can get quality backlinks to your websites/blogs. If you have a physical address you can get quality backlinks and more visibility for your blog or business using UBL. It only costs $30 and submits your site to over 76 directories including Google Maps, Yahoo Local, SuperPages and many more high PR important directories. Learn more about it here!
11. Julianne Wish from Buy By Mom Blog would also love to share her thoughts on the fabulous Etsy website! Etsy is one of her favorite places to shop online. The people who list items on there are some of the most creative people around. And she always loves finding out about Moms who run Etsy shops and sharing them on Buy By Mom.
12. Molly, who blogs over on momma-molly.com, recently opened up an Etsy Shop called Me and Madeline. In her shop, she offers some gorgeous handcrafted crocheted items including hats and headbands. (She even has hats for boys and men!)
13. Linda from NYC Single Mom Reviews would love to share with you her well written review of Madeline’s Tea at the Carlyle Hotel – New York City
    Includes description of the tea, at Bemelmans bar , the author/artist of the Madeline book series, and entertainment by Tina deVaron.

Share this on Twitter – you want your awesome featured product review seen by all your friends right?

RT: @starryskye81 + Atomic-Mama.com is hosting a Product Review Blog Carnival! Come join in the fun and submit yours! http://su.pr/16RsMa

The company plans to quickly start going-out-of-business sales at hundreds of its stores, "in order to take advantage of the last two weeks of the holiday selling season," KB Toys said in a filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Del.

Read More HERE and HERE!

Thank you all for entering!! If you didn’t win the book you can purchase it at Amazon- believe me, it’s a great book and one that your kids will surely love!

Ninebird Publishing has just launched their first collection of holiday-themed photo cards, memory albums and recipe books – with more designs and layouts to come soon – at Sam’s Clubs across the country.

The winner will select the design of card they would like and will recieve 30 photo greeting cards!! Keep in mind you do not need to be a Sam’s Club member to enter the contest (although, if you have the opportunity it’s great savings!)

• Visit the Ninebird Publishing website and then let me know in our comment section what is your favorite product from the site. (So, you have to leave a comment!!)
• Three additional entries if you stumble this post with a review AND/OR
• Three additional entries if you subscribe to Atomic-Mama.com AND/OR
• Three additional entries if you twitter this post AND/OR
• Three additional entries if you place the button  on your blog!
• If you qualify for additional entries, please comment separately and let us know which option you’ve used.

Giveaway closes on  DECEMBER 5th 2008 (to allow for winner to recieve their cards with time to send them out for the holidays!). Winner will be drawn randomly – most likely by my 3 year old (who can’t read) out of a hat … er … bowl! This contest is open to both bloggers and non-bloggers alike!

Sangria

Ingredients:

• Soda.
• Red wine
• Lemons
• Oranges
• Apples
• Other fruits, like Peaches
• Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Quality brandy (optional)

Directions:

Grab a big ol’pitcher and cut up all the fruit (don’t bother peeling them). Add ‘em into the pitcher. Pour in two liters of the red wine (cheap red wine – Spanish red wine preferred). Add some sugar and also add two or three teaspoons of cinnamon. Pour soda to make a 50% mixture. Add a lot of ice cubes. If you would like, add a couple shots of Brandy or Rum. Stir! Serve and get sloshed!

Rebujito

Ingredients:

• Lime soda (like 7-Up, Sprite, etc.)
• Fino (Spanish white wine – you CAN get it elsewhere, check out your local Wine shop).

Directions: Mix 1/2 Sprite and 1/2 Fino (I prefer a little more Sprite). Mix and enjoy (you WILL

slur your words after this one!)

Add in some awesome Spanish tapas and you’ve got a GREAT date night! I will post recipes another night though – I’m 1/2 way through my Rebujito and already typing funny! Night ya’ll!

Starbucks Gold

Then when you register, you’ll unlock additional value:

• A free beverage on your birthday
• Exclusive offers and discounts throughout the year
• Free Wi-Fi access for up to 2 hours each day in participating Starbucks stores

Starbucks Gold Cards may be used as a stored value card like regular Starbucks Cards. You can load your Card with money and then we’ll swipe it for your member discount.

The only issue I see is that – unlike my Barnes & Noble card, you cannot use the card unless you are the one who opened the account. My husband and I can both use my book card – but Starbucks does not allow that. I would assume though, that with the amount of coffee hubby and I purchase from Starbucks the “return of investment” would be good – but that $25 per person initial investment is a little steep.

If you are interested in the Starbucks Gold card please visit the website!

I had the awesome opportunity to ask Kunle some questions – so I would like to share a little about him, and also share his answers.

Kunle Oguneye was born and raised in Nigeria and began his career as a professional engineer and software developer. In the last few years he re-discovered his love for storytelling and decided to leave his job with technology and focus on writing and storytelling. Kunle and his family live in Washington State. “Sikulu & Harambe” is his first book.

Atomic-Mama: Why did you choose the “Good Samaritan” story as your first book? What are some other folktales that you might plan on writing?
Kunle: I didn’t choose the “Good Samaritan” story. I just wanted to write an engaging story from my childhood. It just happened that the story was very similar to the Good Samaritan story. I haven’t developed the new stories yet, but you can be rest assured that they will all have positive morals to them.

Atomic-Mama: What was your favorite book growing up?
Kunle: I had several favorite books. I also had a lot of favorite oral stories growing up. My favorite is why the tortoise has a cracked shell.

Atomic-Mama: What made you choose to switch to writing children’s books? Were your friends and family supportive of your leaving your tech career to move to writing?
Kunle: I just felt that African stories were no where to be found. Our history and culture is dying as the older generation passes on. It is my intent to preserve the stories and culture of African for future generations. Yes, my family and friends have been very supportive.

Atomic-Mama: What is the very best thing about writing for children?
Kunle: I get to meet different people and I interact with children. They are so excited when they meet an author and they are so energetic and excited about the future.

Atomic-Mama: How does the author and illustrator relationship work?
Kunle: We collaborated over the Internet. There was a lot of back and forth.

Atomic-Mama: What are you working on now?
Kunle: I’m promoting the book right now. I’ll be in Atlanta tomorrow, then Sacramento mid-week. I have a number of events in the Seattle area as well.

Atomic-Mama: Are you interested in speaking to teacher/librarian groups or to kids via school visits? If so, how can interested parties contact you?
Kunle: Definitely very interested in school/library visits. Interested Parties can contact me via our website at www.sikulu.com.

I want to thank Kunle for his time!! I look forward to reading more of his great stories!

You can purchase the book here.

OH – and I’ve got some awesome news too: YOU can win an autographed copy of this book!! Here is the information you will need:

Contest runs between October 26, 2008 and November 26, 2008.

Winner will be notified by blog post and will need to claim their prize by emailing me (Christine) with your name and address and the name you want the book made out to.

• Leave a comment here on this blog post for 1 entry.
• More ways to enter: Stumble the contest (1 entry), Twitter the contest (1 entry), Add to Kirtsy, Digg, Etc. (1 entry each). Let me know in the aforementioned blog post what you did.
• Blogging about the contest on your blog will get you 5 entries.
• Please also visit the Sikulu and Harabe website. Why? Because I said so and this is my contest!

Ready? Get set? GO! You have until 9pm est on November 26th to enter! Tell your friends!