When One 2 One Network asked if I’d like to review the soundtrack of a new musical, Rock of Ages, I gave a very dramatic yes. I love musicals. I love singing. And I love to learn about new musicals. As Rock of Ages was billed to us in the initial contact as a musical “perfect for all of you ladies who are stirred by American Idol, a good 80’s mix tape, the nostalgia of Aqua-Net, and the adrenaline of Broadway musicals.” That’s me in a sentence.

When the soundtrack arrived, I hadn’t yet researched the musical. Turning the case over to look at the song list, I began to dance in my seat. Some of these songs remain on my all time rockin-out-tunes list. Have a look:

Just Like Paradise / Nothin’ But A Good Time
Sister Christian
We Built This City / Too Much Time On My Hands
I Wanna Rock
We’re Not Gonna Take It
Heaven/More Than Words / To Be With You
Waiting For A Girl Like You
Wanted Dead Or Alive
I Want To Know What Love Is
Cum On Feel The Noize / We’re Not Gonna Take It (Reprise)
Harden My Heart / Shadows Of The Night
Here I Go Again
The Final Countdown
Any Way You Want It / I Wanna Rock (Reprise)
High Enough
I Hate Myself For Loving You / Heat Of The Moment
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Can’t Fight This Feeling
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Oh Sherrie
The Search Is Over
Don’t Stop Believin

I popped in the soundtrack while I hit up the website to learn a little more information. Basically, the synopsis from the site reads: small town girl meets big-city rocker and they fall in love to awesome 80’s music. I didn’t have to read any more though. I became an instant fan as I listened to the soundtrack. Why?

Not only did I already know the words to the songs but they were written for me! Female parts where I always thought there should be female parts. I mean, don’t you think the song “More Than Words” was actually meant to be sung by a female? Someone finally gets it! Someone finally gets me!

In the end, my favorite song on the soundtrack (which is also my favorite 80’s power ballad) was “High Enough.” While beautiful in its original form, the male-female duet on the soundtrack took me… well, high enough. I may have injured a vocal chord while belting it out one day to pick up the boys from visiting my parents.

Which brings me to the only downfall of this soundtrack: it’s not kid-friendly. I can’t/don’t listen to this music when my sons are awake or when we’re all in the vehicle together. Why? While the songs themselves have some sexual undertones, the dialogue that is interspersed between and in the middle of various songs isn’t always appropriate for little ears. I really have no desire for BigBrother to repeat some of those words or ask me what herpes is. That said, I laughed at the humor, even if I won’t repeat some of the words myself. I like a musical with edge. It’s just not for my kids. Big deal. It’s for me!

If you’re interested in learning more about the musical or the soundtrack, you could watch the video on the making of the soundtrack. If you’re already sold by the idea of four part harmony and stellar duets on your favorite 80’s tunes, you could just buy one now. Or…

You could win a copy here!

To win a free copy, leave a comment here telling me your favorite song on the track listing. If you don’t know any of those songs, you may be too young to participate. Just sayin’. One winner will be chosen at random on August 18, 2009 sometime after the noon hour. The winner will receive an email from me asking for shipping information. Winner has two days to respond or another random number will be chosen.

I’m hoping to someday catch this musical. Live. I even think FireDad would enjoy this particular show. It appeals to the rocker in all of us. And, come on, don’t you want to just belt out some of these songs upon reading their names? Sing with me.

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[I received a complimentary copy of the soundtrack in return for my honest review.]

I like ice cream. I do. I don’t have anything against it. Except for all of those ingredients that the kids in those commercials couldn’t pronounce. And the flavors that are supposed to taste like something but rarely do. So, most of the time I just stick with vanilla and try not to think about what I’m ingesting.

Until now.

When Mom Central asked if I wanted to review Haggen-Dazs new ice cream line, I obliged mainly because I was curious. The line is called “Five” because it is an all-natural ice cream (!) with only five ingredients (!!), all of which were pronounceable (!!!). Excited to give them a whirl, I tried one of my four flavors the first night.

And I’m in love, folks. In love.

As I said, I received a total of four flavors out of the seven that they are currently offering in the Five line. Here is a ranked rundown of my views on their taste and deliciousness.

1. Ginger – This was the first flavor I tried and, goodness, it was hard to put the carton away. I’ll be honest: it made me want a spicy tuna roll which doesn’t always translate into “let’s have ice cream,” but they made it work. It was creamy. It was, well, ginger-y. And it is totally my new favorite flavor of ice cream. [Ingredients: SKIM MILK, CREAM, SUGAR, GINGER (GINGER PUREE, GINGER, GINGER JUICE), EGG YOLKS.]

2. Mint – I like mint things so it is not surprising that this is my second favorite flavor. It wasn’t over-powering like some of those nasty mint-chocolate-chip conccoctions are nor was it BRIGHT GREEN. It was white and pure and lovely and melted on my tongue. Mmm. [Ingredients: SKIM MILK, CREAM, SUGAR, EGG YOLKS, MINT EXTRACT.]

3. Brown Sugar – At first bite, I was unsure. By the time I finished more than I had intended, I decided that I did like it. Sweet but not overly sweet, it was simply a good tasting ice cream that I could eat or pair with some brown sugar pie crusts (with pie fillings, obviously) to make a killer dessert. [Ingredients: SKIM MILK, CREAM, BROWN SUGAR (MOLASSES, SUGAR), SUGAR, EGG YOLKS.]

4. Passion Fruit – This was my least favorite. It was a bit strong for my liking but after a few bites it tasted delicious. I can tell you, however, that my paternal grandmother would be all over this flavor. She’s a fruit-flavored-ice-cream kinda gal. And so if you are, this would be the flavor for you! [Ingredients: SKIM MILK, CREAM, SUGAR, PASSION FRUIT JUICE, EGG YOLKS.]

In short, I’m a fan. Less nasty ingredients and more real flavor? Seriously. What’s not to like? Not convinced yet? How about the fact that using less of the random ingredients and just five per flavor equals out to 1/3 less fat than other ice creams? Yes. That sounds fabulous. (Of note: don’t eat the whole container in one sitting. That probably makes that fact null and void.) But still. Mmm!

Best part? I’m giving away FOUR gift certificates for a free Haggen-Dazs product (14oz). I can’t suggest strongly enough to try a flavor in the Five line, now available in stores, but you can buy whatever Haggen-Dazs product your heart desires with the coupon. It expires on December 31 of this year so get your ice cream on before New Year’s Eve, okay?

How to win? Please tweet the following:

Would you love to try Haggen-Dazs new Five ice cream line? @FireMom has four chances for you to win. Visit: http://tinyurl.com/SDBice

That’s all. Just tweet. No comments here necessary (but you can let me know if you liked a certain flavor if you’ve already tried it). You don’t have to follow me on twitter (though that’s nice). I’ll be tracking mentions of my name and throwing them on my spreadsheet (such the dork). You may tweet once per day through the close of the giveaway which is on April 20, 2009 at 12:00pm EDT (noon). I will message winners via Twitter (I’ll @ you or DM you if you follow me) for your shipping address and get them in the mail the morning after the win!

If you don’t win, I encourage you to give these ice creams a try. But please don’t blame me if you try the ginger and suddenly find yourself craving sushi. I warned you. I did.

Updated on Monday, April 20, 2009 at 1:37pm: Our winners are @mobu67, burgmom624, @anotherchanceto and @stickyfeet2! Congrats all!

When I was offered a chance to review some Eye Candy and Simply Chic paper and organization products, well, I was giddy. You see, I loved the back-to-school time frame as a child, teen and college student. I love the smell of new paper. I love buying new pens. Backpacks. Organizers. I was in heaven. But my schooling days have long passed. And while BigBrother is heading to preschool this autumn, he doesn’t need any supplies.

And that’s why I jumped at the chance to review these products. So I could get that same feeling.

And I did! Let me tell you, if I was a teen or still in college, I’d be buying these folders, pens, notebooks and so on. Even as a Work At Home Mom, I’m thrilled to have added some of these things to my organizational library! For example, the magnets are already in use on my fridge. (In fact, one is holding the corner of the calendar I made for BigBrother to count down the days until his first day of school!) The colors are bright, funky and eye-catching. What better way to trick your child or yourself into thinking that the whole back-to-school time is a great, wonderful and fun thing! (And if they already think that, like I used to, then what better way to add to the ambiance!)

A few notes: the pens write fine. I’m picky about pens. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to open the pens as I have a particular pen that I prefer to write just about anything, including something as measily as my grocery list. But these ones passed my test so they should be fine for you. The folders are strong enough to be chewed on, briefly, by a little dude with five-and-a-half teeth. (Totally accidental but passing on the info.) The monthly calendar has the entire year of 2008 and the entire year of 2009 instead of, like most, just the “school year” months.

Now, for my favorites: The portable hanging file, which is a seven pocket expandable accordian file that includes colorful blank tabs for the pockets was so right up my alley. Let me tell you, I love to be organized. Or, I love the illusion of being organized and, as such, I love things that, in theory, should make me more organized. And this? Was BRIGHT PINK with POLKA DOTS. Favorite indeed. I also loved the package of stick on notes and flags. Maybe because more polka dots were involved. Maybe because I like things that stick. All the same, I’ve been using these on everything.

Best part about all of this stuff? It’s available exclusively at Walmart. That means nearby and affordable. Hit up the Carolina Pad and Paper site to see more examples. I’m sure you’ll want to pick up a few for your teen. Or yourself. Mmmpaper!

As an added bonus, I’m giving away a few things! (Brand new!) For you, your back-to-school child/niece/neighbor/etc. I’m giving away a binder journal in the Simply Chic houndstooth print accented with green, a 2008/2009 calendar in the Eye Candy multi-colored polka dots and a box of notes in the Eye Candy multi-colored polka dots as well. One lucky winner will get all three. Simply leave a comment on this post about your love or hatred for back-to-school time as a child. The contest will run through August 16th at 1:00pm EDT. I will close comments at that point.

(Also? If your office looks like mine but you love the idea of one that is organized, go enter their contest for a chance to get a Glam-ed Office. Mmm.)

Contest Closed! Our winner received her gear for her teen daughter and apparently it was a big hit! Thanks for entering!