PIMSLEUR ITALIAN Level 1 Learning Italian with Dr. Pimsleur Review #pimsleuritalian

I studied abroad in Italy YEARS ago and my Italian is so rusty that I can't even think in Italian anymore. I was lucky to originally learn Italian in Italy. I used to actually dream in a combination of Italian and English at one point. It really makes me so sad to think about how my Italian language skills have deteriorated and it has bothered me for a while. Italian is an easy language to learn and I thought trying this time tested Pimsleur language system this would be a good way to restore my skills since I am planning on a vacation to Rome early next year.

Pimsleur is well known as the premier learning method for language learning.  Government agencies and diplomats have always been known to use Pimsleur learning to get up to speed with a variety of languages quickly. I wanted to  get a fast start and I know Pimsleur has an excellent reputation so I wanted to see for myself since it was the perfect opportunity. I thought it would be good to use the CDs in the car to learn Italian but in the packet they also suggest that you can load it onto an ipod or iphone for on-the-go learning which is another good option. This program really is a fast and easy way to learn the language. It gets you speaking literally almost immediately. Even if you don't have any language background you can understand quickly. The audio instructors speak slowly and give you time to repeat and respond. They make it easy to follow and mimic the accent too. They make it conversational too so it is fun. They set up real mini social settings and conversations.  You can actually picture yourself in Italy having simple chats or exchanges with the characters. "Do you speak English, ma'am?"  Lei parla inglese, signora?  "Yes, I speak English."  Si, Io parlo inglese signora.  It is fun and easy to mimic the words after a few times. My accent was even improving. They suggest one CD a day which is 30 minutes. I have been doing it in my car and it makes the drive go fast. I feel more confident with my Italian already and I am only through 5 of the CDs.

The Pimsleur system CD's repeat the words, phrases and sentences a bunch of times in different ways and you follow and repeat after the reader so you start to get a feel for the sounds and intonations. They go back and forth from Italian to English so the words and phrases are reinforced. There are 16 CDs housed in a sturdy black box so you can go at your own pace and repeat a CD if you like or move to the next and go back to another one again later. I like to do it in my car because it is quiet and peaceful and gets my mind off traffic, definitely do it somewhere where you can have a quieter place to listen and repeat because speaking the language is key. My friends who studied abroad with me and didn't make the effort to speak Italian never learned it really at all. If you follow along after a few CDs you will start feeling like you have a good handle on the language. If you are heading over to Italy on vacation you will be so much more confident when you can speak to the locals in Italian! Once I finish this one I am going to try the next level so I can really be feel good about speaking Italian again.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Yoga Spinner from Upside Down Games Review #upsidedowngames

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I am always looking for games that let my daughter and her friends have fun and disconnect from the iPad and other electronics.  I am that strict mommy that doesn't really allow unfettered access to the electronics anyway.  Too much screen time turns kids into those lazybones! Even my daughter agrees with that one.  She loves to move and be active so we were both excited to hear about a new yoga game that combines the best of yoga with the fun of a board game. 

Yoga Spinner is a great game that gets moms, dads, Grammas and Grampas and kids moving and stretching. It has brightly colored, easy to read cards that direct you to complete a variety of easy yoga moves.  My mom is such a yogaphile she was all hopped up when she heard I got a yoga game.  She can't wait to show off her moves and why not? I told her she can play the next time she comes to visit or we will bring it with us when we come to her.  Meanwhile, I know you want to know all about it.

It is really easy to play and a great way to get stretched out. One person starts (I always let the youngest go first) by spinning the spinner. That player then draws a card from the pile of cards that matches where the spinner landed.  They must follow the instruction on the card.  Some of the cards have a yoga pose and others might be more crafty instructions like "steal a card," "lose a card," or even "all play."  All play is especially fun when Daddy joins the game.  I was not permitted to take a photo of Daddy but one was a classic that I wished you could see. We were amazed that he did it. All that running around on the field every week really paid off. That man is in good shape.  Okay, okay. The goal is to be the first to collect a card of each of the colors to win the game.  Sometimes it takes a bit depending on that crazy spinner.  

My daughter is looking forward to an upcoming sleepover party with 3 friends and even has a To-do List for the party.  Yoga Spinner is at the top of the game list.  She thinks her friends will enjoy playing it at the sleepover and I do too.  It is small enough to pack in a back for a vacation or weekend getaway too.  Yoga Spinner is a good option to get the kids eyes off the screens and get them moving around and active. 

Upside Down Games has actually created a line of  high-quality educational games like Yoga Spinner that help children establish life-long healthy habits based on physical exercise, intellectual activity, and social commitment. They do this through YOGA.

Their entire line of board games, card games, and spinner games is yoga-based and are perfect for the whole family. The games are the perfect combination of family game time and move-your-body time a perfect blend for those kids who just can’t sit still. The Upside Down Games line consists of five games that are all truly unique...there are no other yoga games out there!

For 2-4 players
Ages 6+
SRP $19.99

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Enough: 10 Things You Should Be Telling Teenage Girls Plus Giveaway

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book Enough: 10 Things You Should Be Telling Teenage Girls! complimentary. As always, my opinions are my own.

 

Enough: 10 Things You Should Be Telling Teenage Girls is a new book that is based on Kate Conner's viral blog post, “Ten Things I Want to Tell Teenage Girls.” Her run away blog post garnered more than 2 million views in two weeks.  She calls moms, dads and anyone who has teenage girls in their lives who they love and care about. Perhaps it is a teenage sister, friend or even your own daughter. Kate has identified 10 key things these girls need to hear today.  You are beautiful. You are valuable. You are enough.

Her book is lighthearted but serious at the same time. It is peppered with wit and laced with grace.  The author tackles tough issues for teens in 2014. Things like how to manage Facebook, emotions, drama, tanning beds, modesty, and flirtation.  She gently weaves powerful messages of worth into every chapter. These messages transcend age and will touch the souls of women of all ages. Simple messages that will resound no matter who you are and where you live: You are beautiful. You are valuable. You are enough.

Kate Conner is a former youth-worker, wife to a college minister, and a young mom in her twenties.   Conner stands squarely in a generational gap which is actually the perfect place from which to bridge it. Conner offers herself as a translator for moms.  She helps you to speak your teenager’s language.  Her writing offers you with a fresh perspective from which to engage your teenage girl—one that may enable her to truly hear your heart (and your wisdom) for the first time since puberty. 

You can get more information on the book by visiting the official  web site.  You can also follow Kate Elizabeth Conner on all your fave social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.  

Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Good luck to all! a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Blacklight Flashlight: Discover the Wonders that your Pets Have Left Behind:a Review #uvsight

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

This must have occurred to almost anyone that has ever owned a pet. Have you ever wondered if your pet has been leaving accidents around the house without you knowing? Those cats can be so sneaky.  My neighbor and I were laughing the other day as she regaled me with stories of her own personal zoo.  Between the cats, the dog and the bird...no one gets along at all. Give the cats a chance and they do their business on the dog's bed just to be mean. Can you imagine that cat pees right on the dog's bed? Talk about pet stains. Urine stains. Icky. The dog doesn't even care but...watch the dog and the parrot go at eat squawking and barking at each other.  Yikes. Who knows what else is going on that you don't even see we were saying to one another. Now you can actually find out with a little tool called a Blacklight Flashlight.

Can you smell urine EVERY room that you go into, but you have no idea where? Do you crawl around on your hands and knees sniffing the floor in the hopes to discover the location of the urine?  No more with the Blacklight Flashlight. Now your questions will be answered! All you need to do is use the flashlight in a dark room and start your search...those elusive stains with light up on your carpet like a big 'ole Christmas tree.

The Blacklight Flashlight also comes in very handy to detect if guests or certain males  in your household are 'missing' the bowl.  Perhaps your housekeeper that charges an arm and a leg is cutting corners when they clean your home.  Whatever you choose to use it for, you’ll be so glad that you did…after the initial shock of your discoveries are over.

This Blacklight Flashlight really works well.  I was wondering about a few areas in the basement where we used to have a litter pan and I was not so surprised to find a few stains. I kept thinking it didn't smell as fresh as usual there. I was happy to be able to treat them and  I am thrilled to say the problem is gone. If you have cats or dogs, you might want to pick up this little tool to keep on top of any issues. It is always best to treat stains quickly and this helps you find them and remedy them fast!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.