Have you seen the button on my sidebar? You know, the one that says "VeggieTales Official Mommy Blogger"? That means that I am A HUGE FAN of all things Big Idea. Their products enrich my family and teach my children important lessons in a way that speaks right to them at their level.

This season, VeggieTales has released the movie The Little Drummer Boy. My family has watched this again and again since we've received it and I'm happy to add it to the movies we watch together during the Christmas season.

Here's the synopsis from the press release.

In this Veggie-version of a holiday classic, Junior Asparagus stars as The Little Drummer Boy, a lonely child who fins the true meaning of Christmas when he stumbles upon the birth of the baby Jesus. A story of hope, love, and forgiveness, this timeless tale will warm the hearts of children everywhere! 

Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuP4Kx_nHIA

We all love this movie and I enjoy hearing my little ones laugh just as hard at the funny parts as they did the time before. These movies are so well made and really know how to hold a child's attention while making us big people laugh as well. 

BUY IT: You can purchase this movie in a number of different retail stores for $14.99

**Thanks to the company or pr agency, who supplied the items to facilitate this review and giveaway. I wasn't compensated in any way. In this post I share my thoughts and opinions of the item mentioned. Others may have a different experience or opinion.**

Holiday Gift Guide ~ VeggieTales The Little Drummer Boy DVD

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I love listening to instrumental tunes while I'm working or resting. There's just something about it that relaxes me and puts a smile on my face. If you're a fan of them too, you may be interested to know that after over 8 years, Yanni has created a new album of instrumental compositions. 

Truth Of Touch is a gorgeous collection of original pieces. This album was sent to me to review about a week ago and I've been listening to it during my "me time" {aka the kiddos' nap time} every day since then. I just love it. 

Now, if you've been reading here long enough, you may remember me going on and on about Yanni a while ago. In fact, I even saw him in concert! {Click the link to read about that if you missed it.} I mentioned in that post...almost 2 years ago...how much I loved Nathan Pacheco and Leslie Mills at that concert. They're both extremely talented and sooo nice in person. I was pleasantly surprised to hear both Leslie and Nathan on this album. So surprised, in fact, that I grabbed the CD case and ripped through the insert to see if it was really them. Can you picture the HUGE smile on my face when I heard that? 

Don't get me wrong, I loved the entire album without the vocal tracks. These songs were just the icing on the cake. Beautiful vocals sung over genius composition gets me every time. :)

There is a tour going on to celebrate this new release as well. Unfortunately, Yanni isn't stopping anywhere near Detroit so I won't be able to see him in concert this time. You may be able to, though! Check out the dates and locations by visiting Yanni's website. And, if you're in Detroit and want to see Yanni stop here, click the widget!!! {P.S. If Yanni isn't coming to your home town, you can click at the bottom of the tour page and ask him to add your city to the list too!}

View all Detroit events on Eventful

THE GIVEAWAY!! {Now Closed}

I don't want to keep something this good to myself so I'm grateful to One2One Network for letting me give one of YOU a CD!

To enter: Tell me what you love about Instrumental Compositions and/or what you love about Yanni and his work.


For additional entries:

• Blog about this giveaway with links back to this post/blog.
• *For 2 Extra Entries* Become a fan of Coffee with the Mrs. on Facebook. {Comment with 2 separate comments for credit}
• Grab my button for your sidebar. 
• Subscribe to my blog by e-mail through feedburner {the coffee cup at the top of the right sidebar with the orange rss symbol. comment with the e-mail address you subscribed with}
• Follow my blog *For 2 Extra Entries* {right beneath the Giveaways listing on sidebar. Comment with 2 separate comments for credit}
• Follow me on Twitter @TheMrsC (comment with your twitter name)
• Tweet about this giveaway.  If you want, you can say “CoffeeWithTheMrs.com is giving away Yanni's new CD and I want to win!” {Just make sure to link to my blog or the giveaway}.  {comment with a link to your tweet}
•                       **TWICE daily retweets are available for extra entries. Leave a comment with a link to your daily tweet{s}

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. This giveaway will run until April 23rd at 11:59pm ET. The winner will be selected by using random.org and will be contacted and announced on or around April 24th. If the prize is not claimed within 48 hours of initial contact, I will randomly select another winner. Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. Open to US.

**Thanks to One2One Network, who supplied the items to facilitate this review and giveaway. I wasn't compensated in any way. In this post I share my thoughts and opinions of the item mentioned. Others may have a different experience or opinion.**

Have You Heard About Yanni's New Album? {review, giveaway, and tour info}

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An incredible compilation of music, ...Featuring was released in stores today. This breathtaking album shows the seemingly unending talent that lives within Norah Jones. From beginning to end, I found myself taken by each song in a different way. 

Norah Jones took songs that she recorded with other artists over the past ten years and put them all together in one album. Artists like Willie Nelson, Belle & Sebastian, Talib Kweli, and Dolly Parton are all side by side in this beautiful collection of works. 

Said Norah Jones in an interview about the album, “A lot of the people on this record are people I've worshiped since I was a kid, and some of them are younger and more my contemporaries.” She continues. “Even though the musicians are so varied, the vibe of the songs makes sense when we put them all together.”

The track listing is as follows:

1. Love Me – The Little Willies
2. Virginia Moon – The Foo Fighters featuring Norah Jones
3. Turn Them – Sean Bones featuring Norah Jones
4. Baby It's Cold Outside – Willie Nelson featuring Norah Jones
5. Bull Rider – Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson
6. Ruler Of My Heart – Dirty Dozen Brass Band featuring Norah Jones
7. The Best Part – El Madmo
8. Take Off Your Cool – OutKast featuring Norah Jones
9. Life Is Better – Q-Tip featuring Norah Jones
10. Soon The New Day – Talib Kweli featuring Norah Jones
11. Little Lou, Prophet Jack, Ugly John – Belle & Sebastian featuring Norah Jones
12. Here We Go Again – Ray Charles featuring Norah Jones
13. Loretta – Norah Jones featuring Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
14. Dear John – Ryan Adams featuring Norah Jones
15. Creepin' In – Norah Jones featuring Dolly Parton
16. Court & Spark – Herbie Hancock featuring Norah Jones
17. More Than This – Charlie Hunter featuring Norah Jones
18. Blue Bayou – Norah Jones featuring M. Ward


I love to listen to this album when I'm relaxing or doing house chores. It's something that makes me happy and some songs even make me dance along as I listen. Even the hubster enjoys listening along to this one. It truly has something for everyone on it. {Although, there's not one song I choose to skip over, personally.}

Run out and pick up your copy today! If you're a Norah Jones fan, you won't be disappointed by this album.

**I received a complimentary copy of the album to facilitate my review. This review is my personal opinion and I am entered to win a gift card through One2One Network by participating. Others may disagree or have a different experience.**

Norah Jones Has A New Album!! (review)

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Big Thanks to those who entered the giveaway for Brandy Carlile's CD!! Random.org has selected the winner.

 

Congrats, "pamelas"! Don't forget to grab your "Coffee to Go" button on my sidebar (if you have a blog). 

I've sent out an e-mail to the winner and will wait 48hours for her to claim her prize. :)

Brandy Carlile CD Winner!

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Sorry for the delay in drawing these winners. I’m still getting the hang of having a toddler and a newborn. :) (Although, I AM loving it.) Anywho, I have some winners to announce.

Winning the Harry Connick Jr. CD is…

Winning the Brother P-touch Labeler…

Winning the “Coffee Talk” Vivabox…

  

Winning the Heart2Heart infant insert is…

Congrats to the winners!!  I’ve e-mailed each of them and will wait 48 hours before randomly selecting other winners.

Please remember to grab your “Coffee to Go” button for your blog’s sidebar if you’ve won on my blog. :)

<a href="http://www.coffeewiththemrs.com/"><img src="http://i551.photobucket.com/albums/ii452/TFTM/winnerbutton.jpg"></a>

No, I didn’t forget…Here Are the Winners!!

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Recently released and currently playing on my iPod, Give Up the Ghost by Brandy Carlile is well worth a listen. (Just check out the new single on iTunes above.)

This album is the perfect choice for any folk/rock lover. I prefer the feel and sound of a folk album so I’ve really enjoyed reviewing “Give Up The Ghost”. My favorite track so far is entitled “Dying Day”. It’s an upbeat, catchy tune with a great melody. I honestly listen to it over and over while I be-bop around and sing along.

Other tracks on this album are:
Looking Out
Dying Day
Pride And Joy
Dreams
That Year
Caroline
Before It Breaks
I Will
If There Was No You
Touching The Ground
Oh Dear

If you like the sound of Sheryl Crow, Missy Higgins, or the Inidigo Girls, Brandi Carlile is someone that will fit perfectly in your CD/MP3 collection.

Yes, hers is a voice to be reckoned with and I want you to hear it for yourself. If you’ve listened to the single on iTunes linked above, and you can’t wait to hear more…

THE GIVEAWAY!! (NOW CLOSED)


I have one CD to giveaway to one very lucky winner!

To enter:

• Visit Brandy Carlile’s website, click the “Brandi” link and comment with a quote that you found interesting. Whether it’s about the foundation she supports, a quote from her blog, or her biography, simply copy and paste something to show you’ve visited her website. **Try to find something unique from the people who have entered before you, please.**
• For additional entries:
  
  
  
  
  • blog about this giveaway with a link back to my post *3 extra entries* (comment with a link to your blog post. Leave 3 separate, numbered comments to make sure you get credit for each entry.
  • 
    Subscribe to my blog feed (top of right sidebar)
    
    
  • Subscribe to my posts in e-mail (top of right sidebar. comment with the e-mail address you subscribe with)
    
    
  • Follow this blog (middle of left sidebar)
    
    
  • Grab my “Coffee with the Mrs.” button for your sidebar.
    
    
  • Follow me on Twitter @themrsc (comment with your twitter name)
    
    
  • Tweet about this giveaway with, “Win Brandy Carlile's new CD as featured on www.coffeewiththemrs.com @themrsc” (comment with a link to your tweet)
    
    
    
    
    • Once Daily Retweets available for extra entries. (leave a comment with a link to each RT)
    
    
    
    
    
  Please leave separate comments for each entry. This giveaway will run until November 11th at 11:59pm ET. The winner will be selected, announced, and contacted on November 12th. I will wait 48 hours for the prize to be claimed before randomly selecting another winner.
  
  
  
  
  

**This review is based strictly on my experience with the item and my opinion of that experience. I was not compensated for my review beyond receiving a sample item for review. Please see my disclosure policy at the bottom of my blog page.**

Thanks to One2One Network for this review opportunity!

Brandy Carlile: Give Up the Ghost Review (giveaway closed)

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Harry Connick Jr. has done it again! Another fabulous album was released on September 22nd called Your Songs. The titles on this album are classic songs that most everyone knows and loves. Mix the classics with Harry Connick Jr.’s crooning voice and musical talent, and I think it’s safe to assume that it will be hit.
I’ve listened to this album over and over since I’ve received it for review. It’s produced beautifully and I haven’t yet skipped one song to hear the next.  Quite honestly, I could listen to him sing the alphabet and be perfectly pleased to hear it on repeat. He’s just that good.
I mentioned the classic titles that are on this album. Here’s a list of each track.
Album Tracklisting (Originally performed by):
All The Way (Frank Sinatra)
Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis Presley)
And I Love Her (The Beatles)
(They Long To Be) Close To You (The Carpenters)
Besame Mucho
The Way You Look Tonight
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)
Your Song (Elton John)
Some Enchanted Evening
And I Love You So (Don McLean)
Who Can I Turn To? (Tony Bennett)
Smile (Charlie Chaplin)
Mona Lisa (Nat King Cole)
I love each one but my two favorites are Your Song and And I Love Her. These 2 songs take turns getting stuck in my head and have me humming along all day long.
Don’t forget to check out Harry Connick Jr.’s facebook page!
BUY IT: You can purchase this album in any store that sells music CD’s.

THE GIVEAWAY!! Now Closed

One lucky winner will receive Your Songs on CD!! Trust me when I say, you WANT this CD.
To enter:

• Tell me which song from the tracklisting you’re most looking forward to hearing AND why.  *make sure your e-mail address is somewhere in your comment or include it when you sign into Disqus. No e-mail address = no way to contact you if you win.*
• For additional entries:
  
  • Blog about this giveaway with a link back to my post *3 extra entries* (comment with a link to your blog post. Leave 3 separate, numbered comments to make sure you get credit for each entry.
  • Subscribe to my blog feed (top of right sidebar)
  • Subscribe to my posts in e-mail (top of right sidebar. comment with the e-mail address you subscribe with)
  • Follow this blog (middle of left sidebar)
  • Grab my “Coffee with the Mrs.” button for your sidebar.
  • Follow me on Twitter @themrsc (comment with your twitter name)
  • Tweet about this giveaway with, “Win Harry Connick Jr.’s new album “Your Songs” on www.coffeewiththemrs.com @themrsc” (comment with a link to your tweet)
    
    • Once Daily Retweets available for extra entries. (leave a comment with a link to each RT)
    
    
  
  

Please leave separate comments for each entry. This giveaway will run until October 25th at 11:59pm ET. The winner will be selected, announced, and contacted on October 26th. I will wait 48 hours for the prize to be claimed before randomly selecting another winner.
Thanks to One2One Network for this opportunity!

**This review is based strictly on my experience with the item and my opinion of that experience. I was not compensated for my review beyond receiving a sample item for review. Please see my disclosure policy at the bottom of my blog page.**

Harry Connick Jr. ~ Your Songs Review (Giveaway Closed)

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You may not think me to be an "opera" kind of girl. Well, surprise! I'm a lover of all types of music.

When I was offered the opportunity to review Il Divo's The Promise AND The Christmas Collection, I jumped all over it. That's right. I jumped.

I cracked them open right away and started listening. 

The Promise

First of all, if you've never listened to Il Divo, you should go check them out. These men are TALENTED vocalists. 

Now, this album is something that I would listen to for a de-stress time. It's beautiful and melodic. There's also a beautiful cover of the song "Hallelujah" on the album. (any Jeff Buckley fans out there?) This album is loaded with beautiful songs that provoke emotion whether you speak the language it's being sung in or not.

A Christmas Collection

This album makes me wish I had a fireplace in my home. I can totally picture myself sitting in front of the fire with a warm mug of hot chocolate (don't forget the candy cane) while being surrounded by my Christmas decor and the sound of this album being played. Il Divo performs beautiful renditions of my favorite songs and puts me right in the Christmas mood. I even listened to it as I made my first batch of Christmas cookies. :)

The Giveaway

One of you lucky ducks will win these 2 albums!! 

How do you play? I'll tell you.

1.  Go to the Il Divo website and find something interesting to share in the comment area. Add to that comment your e-mail address and you've got your first entry. :)  *please find something original to comment on so I know you went to the website. It's important to send our sponsors traffic.*
2. For additional entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog
2. Grab my bloggy button and stick it on your sidebar. 
3. Stumble this post (leave your screen name with this entry so I can verify it.)

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. The contest will run until December 15th at 8:00pm ET. The winner will be notified by e-mail and will have only 2 days to respond before I choose another winner.

Good luck!

IL Divo: The Promise (Review and Giveaway)

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