I love love love Christmas time. Maybe it is because I am a big kid and adore being able to shop for the little ones and then help them try out their new toys. I love sitting back and getting to read new books, color pictures, and the decorating is always a blast! Of course being the wonderful person that I am, I thought it would be nice of me to share some of the great companies and products out there that I find for the Holiday season. Some will be products I am sent to review, some will be products we come across and I think would make a great addition. Not only will you find gift ideas, but you will find Holiday recipes, decorating ideas, craft projects, and any other fun holiday stuff I am let in on! If you know of a great product, craft, recipe, or decorating tip please let me know by emailing me at fivemonkiesreview@gmail.com (please include Gift Guide in the subject line).

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Orient Automatic Watches


Top of the line watches in a relatively affordable price bracket is hard to find. If you are looking for that one gift that will get an oh and ah out of your favorite person on your list, then check out the Orient Watch Company. You can find everything from Elegant watches to Diver watches. Just check out this Mako watch CEM65004M. Gorgeous watch.
Widely cherished in Asia, Europe, and South America, Japan’s largest producer of automatic watches
is finally available in the United States.

With more than 50 years of history and an annual production of over 2 million timepieces, Orient could quite possibly be the largest watch company you never knew existed.

With beautiful watches to choose from for both men and women, and with the added benefit of a 1 year warranty on your watch, you can shop through for an Orient and be happy with your decision. There are only certain places you can purchase an Orient brand watch and be sure that you are getting the real thing. You can find a list of all the stores that sell Orient automatic watches on the site.

One of the most classic watch styles on the site is the CEV09002W-Orient Classic.Price points on the Orient Automatic Watches are form $130 to well over $1,000. Orient has been highlighted in The New York Times, Men's Fitness, People, and more, and guess what...

Monday, November 22, 2010

shabby apple


We all want to look pretty for the holiday parties we inevitably get invited to. Right? Well, how would you like to were a gorgeous dress made from Crepe de Chine Silk? With Shabby Apple you can find a gorgeous dress that will fit beautifully, and will not leave you feeling like you are falling out of your dress in any spot! I took a peek at the newest line they have, the Silk Road line, which is all made from Crepe de Chine silk, and let me tell you, these dresses are beautiful. I just wish they offered them in a plus size. Cuz until I lose this weight, I am stuck. Not to badly though since they off some gorgeous plus size dresses as well!

The Shabby Apple clothing is a very "boutiquey" feeling wardrobe, with a higher price than I normally spend. But they are definitely worth taking a look at. Especially for any upcoming special occasions you might have coming up. Whether it be a wedding, a party, or a date night with the spouse.

Shabby Apple also has offerings for kids and preteens, handbags and accessories, and oh yes, even shoes!

Follow Shabby Apple on Twitter to stay up to date on the sales, new styles, and contests they might have going on!


Check out the full line of Silk Road dresses:

Paul McCartney and Wings: Band on the Run


Oh yes the legend is back. With Christmas right around the corner, we are looking for that perfect gift for our dads. I know mine would love love love this new re-release of the original Band on the Run. Featuring

1.  Band on the Run                                                                     
2.  Jet                                                                               
3.  Bluebird                                                                      
4.  Mrs Vandebilt                                                              
5.  Let Me Roll It                                                               
6.  Mamunia                                                                      
7.  No Words                                                                    
8.  Picasso’s Last Words (Drink to Me)                                          
9.  Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five        

And Bonus Tracks:
1. Helen Wheels
2. Country Dreamer
3. Bluebird [from One Hand Clapping]
4. Jet [from One Hand Clapping]
5. Let Me Roll It [from One Hand Clapping]
6. Band on the Run [from One Hand Clapping]
7. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five [from One Hand Clapping]
8. Country Dreamer [from One Hand Clapping]
9. Zoo Gang 

All the songs digitally re-mastered and brought to the best that they could possibly be. I am not a huge Paul McCartney fan, but even I can't help signing along with Band on the Run. LOL Seeing the kids faces as I am bebopping around the living room to the Band on the Run CD was priceless. 
 



The musical achievement of Band on the Run is nearly matched by the amazing story behind its creation. Intrigued with recording abroad in the summer of 1973, McCartney searched for a list of studios around the world.  Spotting one in the remote location of Lagos, Nigeria, he became enthralled with the idea of recording in Africa. Days before departure, lead guitarist Henry McCullough and drummer Denny Seiwell quit the band leaving the entire project to the three core members, Paul, his wife Linda McCartney and band-member Denny Laine (along with recording engineer Geoff Emerick). Recorded in August and September of 1973 (with further work done at AIR Studios in London in October 1973), they persevered through a tumultuous, yet creatively invigorating 2 month recording process battling difficult studio conditions, oppressive heat and a dangerous mugging at knife point. The thieves made off with the demo tapes (among other valuables), forcing the band to record the entire album from memory. 
Band on the Run triumphed both critically and commercially.  The album topped the US album chart 3 separate times, won a Grammy and went on to sell more than 7 million copies.  Upon the release of Band on the Run, then Rolling Stone reviewer Jon Landau famously gushed, “The finest record yet released by any of the four musicians who were once called The Beatles.” 
Paul is currently playing five songs from the album on his ‘Up and Coming Tour’.  Live favorites over the last 8 years of touring have included “Jet”, “Band on the Run” and “Let Me Roll It”.  In 2008 when Paul played a free outdoor show to over 500,000 people in Kiev, a Ukrainian poll listed “Mrs Vandebilt” as their all time favorite Paul McCartney song. It’s been included in the set ever since.  At the start of this tour Paul added “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five” to the set. 
Band on the Run marks the first release from the Paul McCartney Archive Collection, an ambitious reissue program that encompasses 40 years of cherished, classic material from the most successful songwriter and recording artist in music history. It’s also the initial physical release of the recently announced agreement between McCartney’s MPL and Concord Music Group to globally market and distribute McCartney’s venerated solo and Wings catalog.
Band on the Run can be purchased for as little as $8.99 (digital only) up to $89.99 (Deluxe Edition with 4 discs and digital).

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Affordable Scarves


You know before I moved to the North, I always thought scarves were pretty, but we didn't have a use for them in Florida. It never really got cold enough to warrant scarves. But since moving up here, I have indulged in my new found love of scarves. Well, I wouldn't say new found. When we lived in Alaska, I had like 25 scarves. LOL Now I only have like 6. But I am still finding new ones. It helps, maybe Donnie wouldn't agree, to have a site like Affordable Scarves to be able to find really pretty, useful scarves on.

One great thing about a scarf is that you can really show your personality with a great scarf. If you are wild at heart, take a peek at their animal print scarves. If you are a gardener, or shopping for one, then try the floral scarves. Me personally, I love the infinity scarves!

With rock bottom prices on amazingly sturdy products, you will be a repeat customer again and again. Kinda like me. There are a couple that I am eyeballing to wrap from Santa to myself. I did receive a gorgeous scarf to review from Affordable Scarves. It is a really long wrap style scarf called the Lyn Floral Wrap. I received it in black. The girls are trying to steal it from me constantly. The reason I choose a wrap instead of a regular scarf was because I wanted something that I could sit at the computer at, and be comfy and warm at the same time. It is so pretty that I have even worn it outside of the house. LOL It has a cute ruffled edge, and a barely noticeable rose pattern on it. The fabric is so soft that you will want to stay curled up in it. When I was sick last weekend, I did just that. I was running a fever so I wrapped up in my wrap, and then curled up in bed with more covers. The cost for this gorgeous wrap is only $42.46. If that is more than you want to spend, don't worry! Products at Affordable Scarves start at less than $20!

I can't close this without mentioning the Scarves.net site that is associated with Affordable Scarves. It is a site dedicated to showing you all the different ways to tie a scarf! So if you are a newbie or want to learn a new trick or two, then be sure to check out Scarves.net. You can follow Affordable Scarves on Twitter, or Like on Facebook, to keep up with sales, new styles, and contests for you to win. And for even more fun, check out the Affordable Scarves blog!

disclosure: I have a material connection because I received a gift or sample of a product for consideration in preparing to write this content. I was/am not expected to return this item or gift after my review period.

Build-A-Bear Workshop


I think that the perfect gift no matter what holiday is a great stuffed animal. It has the ability to bring comfort. It has the ability to spark the imagination. And it is just so soft and cuddly. And when kids get a chance to be in the action, it makes the stuffed item so much more special. Being able to walk in, pick out your favorite, pick out his/her heart, be the one pushing the lever for the stuffing, bathing, dressing, and naming the stuffed animal makes it even better.

Build-A-Bear Workshop gives you all that, and more. When you are done bathing, dressing, and getting to know your little creation, you get to name it and adopt it. I will admit, I love watching the kids faces when they were taken into Build-A-Bear. It is a memory they still talk about today.

I was sent a $25 gift certificate to head over to Build-A-Bear Workshop and make my own furry little friend. The process is super easy. The animals range in price from $10 to $22. You pick your favorite. Then you decide if you want a voice box in it. After that, you stuff the bear, place it's heart in, bath, dress, and name. I have to say now, I was in a hurry, and did not do the adoption part. It was one of those days. But I do know from talking to one of the ladies working in there, that when you go through the adoption you get a code so that you can go on Build-A-Bear online and play with your friend virtually. Sounds pretty cool, right?!

You can find a Build-A-Bear workshop in most malls. If you do not have one near you, you can also order a furry friend online. You can also find lots of clothing and accessories on the website as well.

Follow along with Build-A-Bear on Twitter, or like on Facebook, to keep up with sales, new animals, and more!

Hasbro Easy-Bake Microwave and Style Set


If you have a kiddo that loves the Easy-Bake oven, then you will want to add this new addition of the Easy-Bake line to your shopping list. The Easy-Bake Microwave and Style Set is a super easy to use and lets your future pastry chef make cute cakes and cookies.

We were sent the Easy-Bake Microwave and Style Deluxe Set to review. It just so happened to come on MacKenzie's birthday. So guess who got the toy? LOL She ripped into that box and started "baking" as soon as her party was over. The kit came with 1 rolling pin with 4 end caps, 1 measuring spoon, 1 fondant mold, 1 detail stamper, 1 cake pan (microwave safe), 4 cookie cutters, 1 letter stamper, 1 microwave container with lid (microwave safe), 1 pattern plate, 1 pink sugar cookie mix, 1 chocolate chip cookie mix, 1 chocolate cookie mix, 1 chocolate cake mix, 1 raspberry cake mix, 1 rainbow nonpareils packet, 1 vanilla frosting mix, 1 purple fondant mix, 1 pink fondant mix, 1 light pink fondant mix, 1 yellow fondant mix and instructions.

When it comes to creations, they have a slew of ideas within the instructions, but the possibilities are endless on what cakes or cookies your kidlet makes and decorates. And surprisingly the pieces come clean easily. They are dishwasher safe, but since my dishwasher is my own two hands I want stuff that I can easily wash and be done with. I have not had any trouble getting the cake crumbs out of the bottom of the trays.

When the initial mixes run out, you can easily purchase refills for the kit (we are purchasing a second kit for Savanna and more mixes for both for Christmas). The refills cost $5.99, and the Easy-Bake Microwave and Style Deluxe Set costs $29.99. You can also purchase an Easy-Bake Microwave and Style Trendy Cookie Set for $19.99. The age recommendation on this Easy-Bake product is 8+, but I think a mature 6 yr old would like it as well. Great mommy/daughter project as well if you are really into crafty stuff with your kids.

Eden Fantasy's


If you are more on the adventurous side or want to just surprise your significant other with a really special gift, then you might want to check out Eden Fantasy's. They offer a wide range of products for the more intimate side of life. They offer everything from romantic mood setting items to sex toys.

If you are looking for something to wrap yourself up in, then check out their selection of negligee's. Maybe you are looking for something that has the promise of a deep tissue massage, then check out their selection of oils and massage creams.

Eden Fantasy's is a great alternative to the normal Christmas gifts, and is a great way to show the person you are spending your nights with that you still find them attractive. And if you have a more adventurous friend on your list, then grab a gift card. This is not the gift for everyone, but there are a few who would see the fun in a gift card from Eden Fantasy's.

CSN Stores


If you are stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to what to get someone, try a CSN gift card. With a store for every taste and need. Do you have someone on your gift list that is remodeling their kitchen/dining room? Then have them check out the amazing dining room chairs at one of their stores. Shoe lovers will rejoice at the great prices. Kids will be able to find that perfect toy.

CSN really does have a store for everyone this Holiday season. When it comes to being able to get the most bang for your buck, then you will not be left feeling bad about your purchases. And with their rating system and review system, where buyers leave a review about the product, you can see ahead of time what other people thought about the product. To keep up with CSN and the happenings at all 200+ stores, follow them on Twitter and "Like" them on Facebook.