the Mom Buzz

If You Are Reading this, Please Redirect Your Attention to...

2009-11-02T12:35:00.002-05:00

If you are reading this, you are still reading the Mom Buzz at a blogspot. Unfortunately, you really won't find me here. The Mom Buzz is now self-hosted at THEMOMBUZZ.COM. The blogspot will stay here to help redirect lost readers. But, you are probably missing lots of great contests and my holiday guide over at themombuzz.com.

If you have entered a contest here - no worries - I am checking entries here too until everything is 100% done. In the meantime, please follow me!

To read the buzz: http://www.themombuzz.com
To update your feed: http://www.themombuzz.com/feed/

Thanks and see you there!

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don't forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

Introducing the new Curly Lamp from FUZ

2009-10-25T06:58:00.013-04:00

Introducing the new Curly Lamp from FUZ!

Unusually Smart.

Sustainably produced.

Made in the USA.

Check it out at FuzFarm.com!

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don't forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

Alligator Farm Feeding

2009-10-21T07:01:00.000-04:00

We saw an Alligator Feeding at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. It was pretty amazing. They are HUGE! There is a lot to do and the boys really loved it. Although, my oldest just wanted to see the monkeys. Hello, kid! We are at an ALLIGATOR FARM! But yes, there are also moneys, snakes and birds.

Welcome a Gator into Your Home: Dirt Devil Gator Series

2009-10-20T07:25:00.001-04:00

This is how badly I needed a hand vac with power ... I actually take my vacuum and instead of using the handtools, I will lift my vacuum onto the couch to get as much suction power as possible to clean off the messes my boys leave behind.

The day that the couch (and surrounding area) need the most help are days I give the boys cereal. Next thing you know there are thousands of cocoa flakes all over the place. And honestly, taking the vacuum out to clean the couch can be a PITA.

So I was thrilled when the opportunity came to test the Dirt Devil Gator Serie s. It is designed with a dirt cup that flips open for easy emptying, as you remove debris with a quick press of the side buttons. This allows you to minimize your contact with dirt.

Depending on the model you choose, your Gator will vary in voltage (10.8V-18V and price ($29.99-$59.99). The Mom Buzz received the Gator 10.8V Hand Vacuum. First off, they suggest charging it for 24 hours. But, I did learn that it comes charged as I poked at my husband with it precharging. (I vacuumed his head - he thought it felt good, if you are wondering.) After I did that, I tried out the flip compartment. With a squeeze on either side of the vacuum it opens and lets you dump out debris. Finally, I pulled out it's crevice tool. It came out easily and slid into place.

Now the real test. After I let it charge for 24 hours, I gave the boys their Cocoa Pebbles. Sigh. Without a doubt I had a HUGE mess on my hands as one boy spilled on the couch and the other on the floor. Honestly, this time the mess WAS big enough for me to go through the effort of dragging in a traditional vacuum. But, what's the fun in that? I took out the Dirt Devil Hand Vac and that thing had power. I can only imagine what the 18V one is like! This thing sucked EVERYTHING up off the couch. I even pulled out the crevice tool to get between the cracks - it worked as expected.

Then I used the Hand Vac to clean up the other mess on the floor. It did it pretty quick. No surprises there! If it could clean up the couch, with hidden cracks and crevices, you would expect it can handle a Pergo floor! It even tried sucking up toys! And when I was done with the Gator, it easily flipped open and I could dump the contents into the trash.

My favorite feature of the Gator is the power. It is just amazing at how well it picks up everything. The Hand Vac is light weight and comfortable in my hand. I love that it has a 3 year limited warranty and a filter that you can easily change. The crevice tool is easy to use. I think I would like a wider mouth on the Dirt Devil - just a tad. But the way the mouth of the gator is now keeps it from sucking up the kid's toys. As it was, it ate one of my boy's shoe lace ties.

Trying to decide which Gator to buy? Here are your options:

Dirt Devil® Gator 10.8VTM

Cordless Hand Vacuum
Gator SeriesTM Dirt Cup for easy emptying
Powerful suction for quick clean ups
Built-in crevice tool for cleaning tight spaces

Dirt Devil® Gator 15.6VTM

Cordless Hand Vacuum
ENERGY STAR approval rating
Gator SeriesTM Dirt Cup for easy emptying
Reusable filter – simply rinse to clean
Powerful suction for quick clean ups
Built-in crevice tool for cleaning tight spaces

Dirt Devil® Gator 15.6VTM or 18VTM WITH BRUSHROLL

Cordless Hand Vacuum
ENERGY STAR approval rating
Motorized brushroll for cleaning stairs, cars, and especially pet hair
Gator SeriesTM Dirt Cup for easy emptying
Reusable filter – simply rinse to clean
Powerful suction for quick clean ups
Built-in crevice tool for cleaning tight spaces

Want to buy a gator? Well, it's available now at my two favorite stores - Target and Best Buy! Plus, you can also find it at DirtDevil.com.

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. The Mom Buzz was provided a Hand Vac for this review. And don't forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

Mineral Make-up

2009-10-19T14:58:00.000-04:00

For the past few years I’ve definitely heard a buzz about mineral make-up. What do we know about it? Better for the skin? More uniform? Powder? More natural? Well, at least that was what I thought when I heard that Avon had a smooth mineral make-up line. And guess what … I was right! Well – mostly right – it’s not all powders. But their Smooth Minerals Collection is specially formulated for all skin types – from normal to sensitive and everything in between. They say that their mineral based ingredients let your skin’s natural beauty shine through, since it gives you a smooth skin texture, even color and gorgeous glow.

The first time I tried a few items from their Smooth Minerals collection, I had paired it with Avon’s tribal teal collection (eyeliner and eye shadow quad). When I finished up and was ready to attend a wedding as a photographer – sans husband – my hubby couldn’t stop complimenting me. Honestly, I was a little insulted! Ha! I told him not to get used to it, but I guess there is no harm in a little beauty routine before our Sushi dates! I admit I got in the habit of throwing on jeans, a tee and a quick touch of lipstick.

The great thing is, even if your make-up routine is that simple – just lipstick and run – you can still take advantage of their creamy, lightweight mineral lipstick. It goes on smooth as the anti-oxidant and vitamin-enriched lipstick keeps lips soft and moisturized. Better yet, the lipstick is free of talc, dyes, fragrance and preservatives. There are FOURTEEN colors to choose from right now, with delicious names like Chocolate Kiss and Rumberry. Pink Quartz and Crystal Coral look especially “in” right now. (Bright colors are the latest craze, say my magazines.)

I was given three lipsticks as a gift though – and I loved the colors. Malted Mineral is almost a nude lipstick. It keeps my lips fresh, yet muted, allowing dramatic eyes to shine through when I am out. Pinkberry is youthful, great for just carrying in my purse and putting on to “freshen” my appearance – whether at a play date, pediatrician visit or just picking up a Starbucks. Finally, I received Plum Craze. That is my “mature” lipstick. If I don’t go all out on the eyes, yet I still want to make a statement, the Plum Craze lets my lips get noticed. (and if you are wondering, I am wearing Pinkberry right now. LOVE IT!)

Even though I am loving the tribal teal fall colors for my eyes, there are eye shadows and liners that you might like from the Smooth Minerals line. I am usually super hesitant of pencil liners. They tend not to sharpen well and catch on my lip. Ouch! But after having success with the eyeliner with smudge brush from the fall 2009 Avon color line, I figured that the eyeliner from Smooth Minerals has to be just as good … maybe better. They said the minerals allow it to glide on … and it does. Silky smooth lines that last throughout the day into the night. It comes in 4 colors – Earth, Indigo, Iris and Onyx. The Onyx that I tried is SO BLACK. BLACK BLACK BLACK BLACK BLACK. Can we say dramatic? Whoa… it puts all other black liners to SHAME. The Indigo looks really hot, though, if you want a splash of color.

Okay – let’s talk powders. Their blush, foundation and eye shadows are all powders. They are loose, blendable and have a natural finish. I never really used a powder foundation before, but the medium beige I tried was pretty good. It seemed a little dark for my skin. I am a light olive color – usually not tanned. Pure Beige probably would have been a better fit. But the coverage was even and it removed all shine. And it was a good base to apply the blush on. And just so you know, there are 12 foundation colors to choose from. And the medium beige I tried was great and stayed put when I was photographing that HOT HOT HOT sweaty wedding.

There are eight shades of blush in the Smooth Minerals line. I love the sifter, which is deep and not too many holes. This keeps you from applying too much – and you don’t waste it either! I tried copper glow, which was a nice start. I really think their rose and blushing mauve look fresh and youthful. I haven’t tried them myself, but based on the photos I’ve seen they look like they would be a hit on almost any skin tone.

Finally – let’s get back to the eyes. They are one of my favorite things to “make-up”. So many ways to play and color your lids to create different looks. There are 10 eyeshadow colors to choose from, whether you are looking for subdued (rose quartz) to eye-popping-and-locking (enchanted lilac or pink sapphire). I was thrilled when I was peeking at the colors in my package and saw Enchanted Lilac (pop pop pop) … and also a deep russet rock. I thought the Russet Rock went perfect with the dark Onyx eyeliner. It was very mature and would be great for working mamas. The Enchanted Lilac was youthful, shedding like 10 years off me (I wish). But honestly, it made me feel energetic and I can’t wait to go out for some Sushi with my husband wearing this shade. It just says FUN FUN FUN!

Overall, I am REALLY enjoying the Avon line. I am so happy that I received the make-up as a gift to try. And in the end, I just had to share with everyone else. Why? Well – not only are the colors GORGEOUS and the make-up FLAWLESS. But it is AFFORDABLE. The lipstick? $8. Eyeliner? $6. Foundation? $11. Blush – okay … I admit it seems pricey for blush. I am so dang economical – but I do love the colors and you saved so much on the other items … the blush is $10. Honestly, not bad. Just not cheap. And when you talk about skin – you don’t want to cheap – do you? And the loose powder eye shadow is $9.

And better yet, ever since I started buzzing Avon – lots of readers have approached me telling me they sell it. If you sell it … let me know and tell me your #1 pick from your line-up! I would love to share with my readers! Or do you already have a rep you buy from? Let me know what your favorite pick from them is?

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don't forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

Quick, Easy Non-Invasive Thermometer: EXERGEN Temporal Artery Thermometer

2009-10-19T07:07:00.014-04:00

If you are long-time reader of the Mom Buzz, you probably know I am a big fan of the Exergen Temporal Scanner Infrared Thermometer. This was something I registered for when I was pregnant with my second son. No one bought it for me, I guess they thought it was boring? But luckily, I ended up with two mattresses, so I bought the Exergen Temporal Scanner Infrared Thermometer myself. Best. Idea. Ever.

So when the Parent Reviewers offered me the opportunity to review the Exergen on my site, I jumped at it! Because it gives me the opportunity to talk to you about how the thermometer has worked for me over the past 2 years.

I don't know how your pediatrician takes temperatures at their office, but mine uses a temporal scanner. I loved how easy and quick it was. And if they use it, it's gotta be good! (I love and trust my pediatrician.)

Now, yes, there are other options out there for taking temperatures. And I can tell you why I don't like many of them. Pacifier Thermometers are not accurate when they just drank something cool or are breathing through their mouth. And when they are congested, they usually don't want a paci. Plus, how long would I be able to use a paci thermometer.

Don't even get me started on anal readings. I won't do it. And underarm readings are just hard to do with a wiggly kid.

The Exergen is a simple swipe on the forehead. Done in seconds. I find it super easy to use. When you swipe the Exergen across their foreheads, it scans the temperature approximately 1000 times per second! It's capturing the heat emitted from the arterial blood supply and the temperature of the forehead and accurately determines your child's temperature.

The Exergen is my best friend when my oldest spikes fevers to 104 and I just want to give a reading to the pediatrician ASAP. Plus, I can also get his temperature when he is sleeping - he never knows that I am checking up on him again. And those times when your kids feel "warm", but you aren't sure if they are feverish - well it's a lot easier to just grab the Exergen and double check than any other thermometer in the house.

And I have to tell you, my pediatrician approves of my use of theTemporal Scanner.

WHAT'S NORMAL:
Exergen gives a range of temperatures that would be considered normal for the different common areas to take a temperature.

The normal range for arterial is 97.4 - 100.1 degrees Fahrenheit. Orally, the normal range is 96.6 to 99.5. Rectal is 97. - 100.3. It also provides temperature ranges for oronasal, axillary and esophageal.

WHY I LIKE THIS TEMPORAL THERMOMETER:
1. When your child has a fever, the temporal artery is the first to indicate it through heat.

2. It is less invasive then rectal.

3. Your child doesn't need to be as cooperative, as they do with the oral. My son simply wouldn't put the pacifier thermometer in his mouth. He didn't object to the quick scan.

4. Accurate and quick!

5. Trusted by my pediatrician.

6. It comes with a 1 year manufacturer warranty.

OVERALL:
I paid around $50 for my first Exergen thermometer and it was worth it. I can use it with everyone in the family - from the littlest one to Big Daddy. Plus, I am thrilled to have an accurate way to tell my toddler and baby's temperature without being invasive.

I have a few "go-to" gift ideas for baby showers. One is the Heartbeat Bear - the other is this Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer. If you are registering for a shower or have a gift card to use, definitely consider this thermometer! It will save you time and give you accuracy when you need it the most.

The Mom Buzz received a Temporal Artery Thermometer for "review". But, the Mom Buzz has owned her own Exergen Thermometer for two years and loves it. Therefor, this is my own opinion and not influenced by the receipt of a product.

MyBestBirth.com: Never Before Seen Celebrity Interviews

2009-10-18T07:49:00.012-04:00

A few months ago, celeb mom Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein launched an exclusive celebrity webisode series where celebrity moms – starting with Cindy Crawford -- share personal birth stories through a four-part series. The network at MyBestBirth.com, features exclusive clips, online chats, and never before seen interviews from celebrities. Cindy’s birth story began the series on July 8th and her birth story webisode can be viewed at the network: Cindy Crawford's Birth Story Part 1. You can also catch the beginning of the Melissa Joan Hart Webisode online.

Here is the trailer for the Webisodes:

MyBestBirth is not just for celebrities, though. Everyone is invited to join and to share experiences and options about pregnancy, natural birth and holistic parenting.

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don't forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

Family Cir*Kis - Perfect for Game Night

2009-10-17T07:01:00.001-04:00

Sometimes I wonder how toy and gameboard companies keep coming up with new ideas for games. Well, there is a fun, captivating, easy-yet-challenging game out there that is approved by the Mom Buzz! It's called Cir*Kis - so easy, anyone can play - but who will win???

Cir*Kis is for 2 to 4 players, is recommended for ages 8 and up and can take banywhere between 15 and 45 minutes to play. It's a game of Circles, Stars and Puzzles. You have a plastic board that has slots all around for you to place different colored pieces. (Each player chooses a color, between yellow, red, green and purple.) You get points as you use your pieces and your opponents pieces to create either a circle or a square. The tricky part is that each piece must be placed next to the last piece played. Yet, you don't want to make it easy for your opponent to create a circle or square and get points!

You can give it a try and play Cir*Kis online!

It's easy to keep track of pieces and scores during this crazy game, since it has these little scoring tracks that you put your peg in. No scrounging for paper and pencils to keep score! And there are little compartments on each players side to put your pieces in.

My husband and I thought it was fun for a game night. We are planning on inviting some family over to play with four people rather than just two. I think this would make a great game for your weekly game night - kids or adults-only. And my husband's family plays games after dinner on Christmas and Thanksgiving - this game would fit right in.

There is no real downside to the game, other than I wish you could play with even more people. Otherwise it's creative, makes you think and gets everyone in a friendly-competitive spirit.

Cir*Kis is created by Winning Moves Games.Winning Moves also creates exciting renditions of games like Scattergories, Go to the Head of the Class and Rubik’s.

You can get a better idea of how Cir*Kis looks and is played with this video:

One Buzz reader can win Cir*Kis to play at their home for Family Game Night... or save it for a Holiday Gift!

MANDATORY, FIRST ENTRY: Visit Winning Moves online and tell me what other game looks fun for family game night or the holidays!
EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry. But for extra entries, you can do the following - leave a comment for each:

Add the Mom Buzz to your Twitter and Tweet the contest. Leave your Tweet Link. (1 tweet per day is allowed)
Blog about the contest - add a link to the Mom Buzz and the Sponsor
Add the Mom Buzz button to your site
Add the Mom Buzz to your blogroll.
Enter the GE appliance give-away - you can do this daily!
Play a Game of Cir*Kis online! Who won?

Contest ends 11/15/09. Please refer to complete contest rules. The entries listed above are the ONLY entries for this contest. Winners will be notified by e-mail (if supplied in the entry or on profile page), as well as on the Winner's Wall.

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don't forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

Pardon My Dust

2009-10-16T16:29:00.002-04:00

The Mom Buzz is moving from a Blogger Platform to WordPress starting now and throughout the weekend. Things are a little wonky right now, but everything will look peachy keen by Monday. So if you want to read parenting tips, see the latest gadgets and enter contests - visit themombuzz.com on Monday. There is also a fabulous Holiday Gift Guide with chances to win this year's Must-Haves starting November 2nd!

Also, whether you enter a contest here on the Mom Buzz blogspot or theMomBuzz.com - all entries will be counted. No worries, peeps!

Custom Stickers from UPrinting

2009-10-16T14:38:00.002-04:00

Whether you are looking for custom stickers for business or fun, I am learning to count on the printing services of UPrinting for all of my creative needs - from Canvas Prints to Business Cards. That's why it's super that they print out your designs on stickers, as well! Because businesses can use these stickers for product labels, unique business cards, promotional stickers and more. Or creative folks, like us moms, can put or kids faces on stickers for unique party favors, create place settings, label packages from Santa and oh-so much more! There is a lot of fun to be had with sticker printing!

At UPrinting, sticker prices start at $38. There are 9 sticker sizes to choose from, including a custom size. And you can choose to print on 70lb Matte or Glossy paper. Printing is done in 4 Color.

Honestly, if I was going to make stickers I am almost 100% positive I would do package labels from Santa. But, if I was doing any Blogger Conferences, I might make sticker labels for Swag bags instead. Hmmmm... tough call! What would you use custom stickers for?

Giveaway Prize:

250 Stickers/Labels for One (1) lucky winner
Sizes: 2” x 3.5”, 2” x 4”, or 3” x 3”
Paper: 70 lb Label Matte
Specifications: Full color front, blank back; 4 Business Day printing

MANDATORY/REQUIRED ENTRY:
Comment how will you use your stickers if you win?

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry. But for extra entries, you can:

Add the Mom Buzz to your Twitter and Tweet the contest. Leave your Tweet Link!
Blog about the contest - add a link to the Mom Buzz and the Sponsor
Add the Mom Buzz button to your site OR add the Mom Buzz to your blog roll.
Subscribe to the Mom Buzz via e-mail or RSS feed. (See right sidebar)
Share this give-away on Twitter. Be sure to include a link to the contest and say: Business Card Give-Away @Uprinting @theMomBuzz #giveaway
Become a fan of UPrinting on Facebook!

Contest ends 10/24/09. Please refer to complete contest rules. The entries listed above are the ONLY entries for this contest. Winners will be notified by e-mail (if supplied in the entry or on profile page), as well as on the Winner's Wall. The prize code will be send on November 6th. Winner will receive FREE UPS Ground Shipping in the USA (Canadian residents need to pay shipping and taxes). Offer is not available to residents outside the US and Canada.

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don't forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!The Mom Buzz will receive 250 Stickers from UPrinting for hosting this give-away.

Halloween Carols: Review & Give-Away

2009-10-16T07:14:00.033-04:00

A few days ago I received two Halloween CDs - A Broom with a View and Vampire Empire from the Halloween Carols. These CDs are performed and sung by Kristen Lawrence. Unlike other Halloween CDs, you won't hear The Monster Mash or Time Warp on these CDs. Nor is it a CD full of creepy sounds, monsters wailing, ghosts, booing, screams, cackles and more. This one is MUSIC.

You see, just like there are Christmas Carols for Christmas, Kristen has written and performed historically-based Halloween music for this spooky holiday. Kristen has written approximately 60 songs and is releasing them in batches of ... thirteen, of course! In fact, as my husband and I were listening to Vampire Empire and he realized we were on track 12 - he asked how many songs there were. I told him I bet they all have 13. I was right. Mwa-ha-ha!

My husband loved the music - he is going to bring it to his office to play there. The music is eerie - but not "corny" or trite. You definitely get a "Halloween" feel when you listen to the organ and melody. There are some recognizable "Halloween" sounds that accompany some of the songs - most noticeable to me was a cat that was meowing. Amazing how a cat can really add to the music!

And what songs can you expect on the CD? Here is what you can expect:

A Broom With a View
1. Mostly Ghostly - Entrance Music (2:20) - A ghost bemoans the lack of physical brains, wailing with a massive pipe organ.
2. A Broom with a View (5:16) - A witch is out on a joy ride on her broom. Organ, piano and strings set this music ablaze.
3. Souling Song - All Hallows Version (7:56) - Traditional English melody and lyrics about the practice of souling - offering prayers for people's beloved departed in exchange for soul cakes. Cathedral bells and organ ring out.
4. Souling Song - Sohmain Version (7:10) - This song describes the ancient Celtic celebration of Sahmain, where the dead visit the earth, accept food offerings and share their magic. Drums, organs, electric guitar, bass and voices dance together.
5. Dark Glass (5:42) - Written based on a dream Kristen had - windy sounds and distant voices are set against an organ and strings.
6. Cats in the Catacombs (4:19) - A xylophone-bone-clicking romp with organ, piano and a feline-esque cello.
7. Sleeping Dust ("The Death Lullaby") - Ashes to Ashes Version (5:58) - A lullaby about death, with an organ, piano, celesta and humming.
8. Flappy Bat (5:10) - A carol's vocal duet and patterns in the strings sound like the flapping wings of bats.
9. Vampire Empire (6:07) - A vampire invites a mortal to become undead, along with a majestic organ, harpsichord and heartbeat-like drums.
10. A Broom with a View - Instrumental Version (4:19)
11. Cats in the Catacombs - Instrumental Version (6:02)
12. Vampire Empire - Instrumental Version (6:02)
13. Mostly Ghostly - Exit Music (2:20)

Vampire Empire
1. Vampire Empire - radio edit (3:58)
2. Souling Song - Sahmain Version - radio edit (4:38)
3. A Broom with a View - radio edit (3:54)
4. Cats in the Catacombs - radio edit (3:50)
5. Blood Waltz - radio edit (3:59)
6. Arachnitect - radio edit (4:38)
7. Ghost of John - bare bones version (4:40)
8. Vampire Empire - instrumental version (6:06)
9. A Broom with a View - instrumental version (5:16)
10. Cats in the Catacombs - instrumental version (4:20)
11. Blood Waltz - instrumental version (5:07)
12. Dark Glass - instrumental version (5:41)
13. Mostly Ghostly - exit music (2:18)

BUZZWORTHY: Want to try before you buy? Check out some free musical treats on Kristen's website!

Here is the Blood Waltz by Kristen Lawrence, so you can have a taste!

You can buy A Broom with a View as a CD or the album as an MP3 Download. The CD is $13.95. The MP3 Album is $11.95.

Overall, I love it and look forward to playing it every October!

One buzz reader will have an opportunity to win A Broom with a View.

MANDATORY/REQUIRED ENTRY:
Visit Halloween Carols and tell me something you learned from her site!

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry. But for extra entries, you can:

Add the Mom Buzz to your Twitter and Tweet the contest. Leave your Tweet Link!
Blog about the contest - add a link to the Mom Buzz and the Sponsor
Add the Mom Buzz button to your site OR add the Mom Buzz to your blog roll.
Subscribe to the Mom Buzz via e-mail or RSS feed. (See right sidebar)
Enter the GE appliance give-away - you can do this daily!
Follow Halloween Carols on Twitter and tell them the song you are most excited to hear!
Follow a Broom with a View on Twitter and tell them you saw them on the Mom Buzz!
Become a FaceBook fan of Halloween Carols and tell them you came from the Mom Buzz!
Add one of Kristen's YouTube videos to your site! She has a whole list of possibilities on her site!

Contest ends 10/25/09. Please refer to complete contest rules. The entries listed above are the ONLY entries for this contest. Winners will be notified by e-mail (if supplied in the entry or on profile page), as well as on the Winner's Wall.
* They are requesting that you encourage your readers to follow them on Twitter @HalloweenCarols & @ABroomWithAView and become fans on their facebook page. (not required)

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. This post was written as part of a program for Family Review Network and Halloween Carols, who provided the CD for review and give-away. And don't forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

Win One Lil' Snap: Your Child's Fashion Statement

2009-10-15T14:33:00.027-04:00

Recently I buzzed the Snap and Go Hair Bow Sets from One Lil' Snap. You can find that review over at Cool Baby Kid! The sets are super cool because you can choose between headbands, hats, different flowers and appliques to make a unique accessory, dependent on your child's mood or outfit. The sets are priced awesome, starting at $23. You can you choose from their Headbands & Flowers set, the Flap Happy Hat & Flowers set, the Baseball Caps & Flowers set, the Baseball Cap & Appliques set and the Flap Happy Hat & Appliques set. For Cool Baby Kid I reviewed a Headbands & Flowers set for my niece, which allowed me to choose two headbands and 3 flowers. It comes packaged in an adorable paper box. You can choose from a myriad of colors from either a satin or velvet headband. The set I chose would have cost around $23.

The Snap and Go Hair Bow Sets make a GREAT GIFT. But maybe you are looking for a unique gift ... just a little smaller and less money. Think "stocking stuffer". Well, then maybe an "All" Set is what you are looking for. You get to choose one accessory to put on a hat, clip or band of your choice. There are many styles to choose from to make the item uniquely your child's! I once again was shopping for my niece, so I chose the Headband and Flower Set. It will go beautifully with the set she already owns, allowing her to swap out another hairband and Gerber Daisy. This set starts at $8. The Gerber Daisies are my favorite flowers for the girl accessories, totally making a statement for any little girl. Here is a video just to show you how you can snap the accessories on and off in a ... snap!

Also, for little boys I would love the Flap Happy Hat and Applique Set. It is so cute and perfect for winter! Totally check it out!

One Buzz reader can win a t-shirt of their choice between the Snap and Go Headband and Flower Set or the Snap and Go Baseball and Appliques/Flowers Set.

MANDATORY, FIRST ENTRY: Visit One Lil Snap and tell me what you would choose if you won.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry. But for extra entries, you can do the following - leave a comment for each:

Add the Mom Buzz to your Twitter and Tweet the contest. Leave your Tweet Link. (1 tweet per day is allowed)
Blog about the contest - add a link to the Mom Buzz and the Sponsor
Add the Mom Buzz button to your site
Add the Mom Buzz to your blogroll.
Enter the GE appliance give-away - you can do this daily!

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don't forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

The Kia Forte Koup: First of It's Kind - with an awesome give-away!

2009-10-15T12:59:00.001-04:00

Kia wants you to know that the new Kia Forte Koup is the first of it's kind. For example, did you know that Kia is the only coupe in its class to offer MP3/USB port standard on all trim levels? They are also the only coupe in its class to offer Bluetooth connectivity standard on all trim levels. Better yet, Kia offers you a unique combination of class-leading standard horsepower, fuel efficiency and advanced standard features. Overall, the Kia Forte Koup offers exceptional engineering, innovative design and outstanding value.

With the Kia Forte Koup, drivers will experience:

Industry-Leading Warranty Program
Spacious Interior
Plenty of Legroom
Chic Design
Exhilirating Performance

The Mom Buzz expects that all that together makes for one fun ride! Horsepower, comfort, standard wireless technology - all savvy features that you will find in the Kia Forte Koup!

With that said, Kia wants one of you to “ready for your ride in a Koup” by setting you up with a $25 iTunes gift card and a $25 Best Buy gift card for all of their Kia Forte Koup technology needs!

MANDATORY, FIRST ENTRY: Visit Kia Forte Koup and leave me a comment telling me what you like about the car.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry. But for extra entries, you can do the following - leave a comment for each:

Add the Mom Buzz to your Twitter and Tweet the contest. Leave your Tweet Link. (1 tweet per day is allowed)
Blog about the contest - add a link to the Mom Buzz and the Sponsor
Add the Mom Buzz button to your site
Add the Mom Buzz to your blogroll.
Enter the GE appliance give-away - you can do this daily!

Contest ends 10/23/09. Please refer to complete contest rules. The entries listed above are the ONLY entries for this contest. Winners will be notified by e-mail (if supplied in the entry or on profile page), as well as on the Winner's Wall.

This is solely some buzz you may like. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don't forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

Celebrate Fall with Dunkin' Donuts' New Fall Flavors

2009-10-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

With the autumn leaves changing colors and temperatures cooling, Dunkin' Donuts, America's all-day, every day stop for coffee and baked goods, today unveiled a harvest of foods and beverages celebrating the flavors of the season. Emphasizing the beloved traditional tastes of pumpkin and apple, Dunkin' Donuts' fall lineup features both new items and returning favorites guaranteed to help people on-the-go capture the spirit of fall, including the brand's very first low-fat muffin.

Available throughout November 26 at participating Dunkin' Donuts shops throughout the country, Dunkin' Donuts' fall flavors menu items include:

New Low Fat Apple Caramel Muffin: The delicious Low Fat Apple Caramel Muffin is Dunkin' Donuts' very first low-fat muffin, with only three grams of fat. Available at the suggested retail price of $1.39, the new muffin is part of Dunkin' Donuts' DDSMART menu of better-for-you items.

Pumpkin Coffee and Latte: Pumpkin flavoring adds seasonal flair to these Dunkin' Donuts favorites that can be served hot or iced. The Pumpkin Latte includes whipped cream and a caramel drizzle and is available at the suggested retail price of $2.49 for a small 10 oz. beverage.

New Pumpkin Coffee Coolatta®: This take on the traditional Coffee Coolatta, Pumpkin Coffee Coolatta features a swirl of pumpkin flavor and is available at the suggested retail price of $1.99 for a small 16 oz. beverage.

Pumpkin Muffin: The Pumpkin Muffin, one of the most popular seasonal varieties, is topped with white icing and streusel crumbs and is available at the suggested retail price of $1.39.

Pumpkin Donut: A pumpkin-flavored, glazed cake donut, the Pumpkin Donut is a seasonal favorite, available at the suggested retail price of 89 cents.

"Fall Harvest" Donut: The "Fall Harvest" Donut is a yeast ring donut topped with orange icing and a festive pumpkin sprinkle mix, available at the suggested retail price of 89 cents.

Fall Munchkins® Donut Hole Treats: The Fall Munchkins Donut Hole treats are decorated with autumn colored non-pareils and are available at the suggested retail price of $4.49 for a 25 count box.

New Spiced Apple Twist (New England only): Served warm, the Spiced Apple Twist features apple flavored filling swirled throughout sweet dough and topped with delicious icing. Available only in New England, enjoy a combo including a Spiced Apple Twist and a Medium Hot Coffee for the suggested retail price of $2.99.

Plus, Dunkin' Donuts is celebrating Halloween by offering a limited time only "Boston Scream" donut from October 25 - October 31. The "Boston Scream" donut features a traditional Boston Kreme donut decorated with orange icing drizzle.

My husband is a huge Boston Kreme fan, so I am so getting him the Boston Scream on Halloween! The kids like Donut Holes, so I'll probably get them the Fall Munchkins. And my choice would be the Fall Harvest Donut. Are any of these Fall or Halloween Flavors tempting you? Or will you go for a more classic DD treat?

There Once Was a Princess Named ... (My Princess Academy Review and Discount)

2009-10-14T14:08:00.009-04:00

There once was a princess named Skyler. She wore tutus, danced and told her little cousins what to do. Her aunt doted on her, loving any opportunity to treat her like the princess she was - as did her parents and grandparents. But this aunt, from the Mom Buzz, knew where all the cool princess gear and training was ... at My Princess Academy.

At My Princess Academy you will find two things. First there is a virtual world where girls can learn to be a princess through princess classes, games, activities and befriending other princesses-in-training. When you purchase products through My Princess Academy you will receive an instant code to unlock new levels and games on the site. And the purpose of the site is to promote generosity, intelligence, beauty and confidence. After all, at My Princess Academy, Girls Rule!

Next is the shop, where you can purchase princess must-haves, which have all gone through safety testing. And all of their products are Phthalate free. That's important to us as parents (or aunts or grandmothers). The girls though - they just want to know about the glittery, punk, fun stuff! I love the 2009 Product Catalog I saw for those items. There were skirt and wing sets for fairies and pixies. There were empire and sequin princess dresses to help your little one rule. There were fancy pettiskirts in purples and pinks, accented in blue or purple, to twirl about in. And of course there were accessories ... wands, boas, crowns, shoes, lip gloss and tiaras... to complement any of the clothes.

We received the Fancy Pettiskirt in Pink, accented in Purple. Now, sometimes dress-up clothes can be a little ... cheesy. Not this pettiskirt, though! I loved how FULL the pettiskirt was, just like a boutique would offer. It had a gathered satin elastic wasitband to allow it to fit almost any size. I tried it on everyone I could to prove it and it fit the kids from ages 2 to 4. The boutique-style pettiskirt arrived on a hanger that was labeled with Patience. It tells you and your child that patience is the ability to wait your turn or work through a challenge. And Princesses should try to be patient with themselves and other people and things around them. What super advice! There was also a tag on the pettiskirt with an explanation of the Princess Virtue of Generosity.

Here is a video to give you an idea of how fluffy the pettiskirt is - and you get my opinion on princess dresses too!

I also LOVE the tees that they have at MyPrincessAcademy.com. They have such cute saying on them, like "I Rule!" or "This is How I Roll" with a picture of a horse drawn carriage, as well as "Check out My Sweet Ride" with a pegasus. These princess tees would look awesome paired with the pettiskirt and some tights underneath.

Overall, this is a top buzz pick for any little princess. Sizing can range from 3 to 8. Cost ranges from $6 to $32 for an individual dress-up item. You can save when you purchase a "complete look" like the "Sporty Princess".And of course, you need to check out some of the unique "room decor" they have.

HOLIDAY PICK: When I was buzzing around My Princess Academy I saw the cutest Princess Canopy. It hangs from the ceiling creating a nook for your little princess. It can accomodate 9 feet high ceilings! It costs $129 - but maybe Santa can fit it in his sleigh?

DISCOUNT

Receive 15% off your entire purchase at MyPrincessAcademy.com

– no minimum purchase required! Expires 10/31.

Promo Code: princessvip

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don't forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

Wordless Wednesday: The Crew Meets Donald in Epcot

2009-10-14T07:09:00.002-04:00

My boys LOVE Donald Duck! They got to meet him at Epcot!

Participating in Wordless Wednesday? Leave your link here!

UPrinting Gallery Wrapped Canvas Print Video Review

2009-10-14T06:21:00.000-04:00

This review was done for Uprinting.com as a contest entry!

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don't forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

Uprinting Custom Greeting Cards

2009-10-13T14:30:00.000-04:00

Congratulations rccalyn for winning the Uprinting Custom Greeting Cards contest from the Online Printing Company Uprinting. I am sure your cards will look fabulous!

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don't forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

Dunkin' Donuts Helps You Get Into The "Back To School" Routine

2009-10-13T07:05:00.000-04:00

Summer is gone and y'all are trying to get into a good "morning" routine for getting your kids out of bed and onto school. While your kids are fed and on their way, parents often ignore their own needs! But my friends at Dunkin' Donuts want to let you know that you can keep yourselves running with the Dunkin' Donuts DDSMART menu with their better-for-you breakfast options.

DDSMART menu items meet at least one of the following criteria: 25% fewer calories; 25% less sugar, fat, saturated fat or sodium than comparable fare, and/or contain ingredients that are nutritionally beneficial. A highlight of the DDSMART menu is Dunkin' Donuts' Egg White Flatbread Sandwiches. Dunkin' Donuts is the first national quick service restaurant chain to introduce egg white sandwiches. The DDSMART menu includes two varieties of this innovative item: Turkey Sausage (featuring turkey sausage, spinach and reduced-fat mozzarella cheese) and Veggie (featuring peppers, onions, mushrooms and reduced-fat cheddar cheese). Both are under 300 calories, with nine grams of fat or less, and are served on wholesome toasted multigrain flatbread.

Other options include:

Dunkin' Donuts' famous coffees, lattes and espressos, which can be enjoyed for 70 calories or less when using skim milk and a sugar substitute.
Dunkin' Donuts' freshly brewed unsweetened iced tea. A small cup is only five calories, and all flavors are sugar free.
Coffee Coolatta® made with skim milk, which has zero grams of fat per serving.
Dunkin' Donuts' Multigrain Bagel, an excellent source of fiber, with eight grams of total fat per serving. Customers can top it off with Dunkin' Donuts' reduced fat flavored cream cheeses.

Check out the menu at DunkinDonuts.com!

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don't forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party - Fun for the Whole Family

2009-10-12T16:13:00.006-04:00

This past Friday the family attended Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. My former boss, now friend, has gone for years and LOVES IT. And as a passholder, I often would get to see the park getting ready for the party and it looked just... awesome.

This year my boys were old enough to really understand what was going on when they saw the decor at the front of the park when we bought our annual passes and went just on a "normal" day. There were giant pumpkins that greeted you pretty much the minute you entered the park. Plus, when we bought the boys some drinks, they were served in a fun, keepsake cup that had some Disney characters in a haunted mansion. The boys LOVED IT. My husband was all for going ... but I hesitated. When we got home we showed my oldest son the website, which also allowed me to learn more - and we were hooked. My oldest (3 years old) kept exclaiming about a spooky Mickey and Goofy and even my one year old was chanting Halloween.

One thing that everyone keeps asking me is, "What is the Not-So-Scary Halloween Party?" I mean, knowing it is Disney-themed you can make three assumptions. One - it is funtabulous. Two, you need to plan accordingly and have some cash on hand. Three - its all totally worth it.

At Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party you will experience:

Trick-or-Treating
Character greetings - many in "costumes"
Character Dance Parties
A Firework Show that is done just for this event (Halloween Hallowishes)
Villain Mix & Mingle Production
And a Spooktacular Parade! (Mickey's Boo-to-You)

We did everything except the Villain Mix & Mingle. Trust me, that was a big bummer for me! I really wanted to see it. But from the minute we entered the park, the whole family was in awe and in motion. Disney had replaced some of the traditional statues and decorations with scarecrows and Halloween statues. Ghosts and other Halloween images were reflected onto the stores to make it look like they were flying. My little one LOVED that. And you kept hearing the ghosts from the Haunted Mansion talking around the park. Or at least, I did! It completely added to the spooky atmosphere.

Since we had to leave the house early to get there in time, we decided to eat at the park. That was a mistake, because pretty much they give you bags to collect candy when you first enter the park. And within minutes we did our first Character Greeting with Baloo the Bear from Jungle Book. When we were leaving, we passed a Trick-or-Treat location. The kids got candy. Then we tried to get them to eat a kids meal. Uhm, no-go. They only wanted Smarties and Lollipops from that point on. So that takes us to:

BOO-TIP #1

Feed your kids a nutritious meal BEFORE you go. They will probably not eat ANYTHING except candy at the park. It is EVERYWHERE. There are specific locations that you will find on your map, as well as candy spots that are after character greetings AND they give out candy during both parades.

If you have little ones, they will probably get tired. You will need a stroller. Since we came from the beach house, we didn't have a stroller. Renting a single stroller is $14 and change. Renting a double is $30 and change. We rented the double. So here is...

BOO-TIP #2

Bring a stroller if you own one. We have carried our kids through Epcot before and it is tiring, especially since at the Halloween Party you probably will also have a camera and bags of candy. Otherwise expect to rent one. The perk in renting one is that if it gets "misplaced", you just take your ticket back to the stroller spot and get another one! And yes, BIG kids get tired too. I saw plenty of 7 - 8 year olds in the Disney strollers. And parents were also using them to carry bags. So just plan accordingly!

Speaking of planning ahead ... let's talk parking. Since this is a special event even pass holders need to pay for parking. I *think* if you are spending the day at the park and got there when it opens you can get out of this ... but if you arrive when the event starts there will be a $14 parking charge for everyone.

BOO-TIP #3

Bring money for parking! Parking is currently $14.

Let's get back to the fun stuff, though. Even though the event runs until midnight, many guest will start leaving around 10:30pm. Face it, many of us brought little ones! They get tired, cranky and fall asleep. Although, my kids rocked and stayed awake the WHOLE TIME. And they were in good spirits, no pun intended. But what does this mean for you? If you want to avoid long lines and crowds, you need to hit the character greeting and parade later.

The parade is AWESOME. You see much-loved Disney Characters dressed in "costumes" or their Halloween Best. The Villains come out to play. The Headless Horseman RIDES through the street. I wish I caught a picture of that. It was AWESOME! And my favorite part, after the headless horseman, was when the ghosts, ghouls and zombies came out from the Haunted Mansion. They did a "shocking" show through the streets, scraping their shovels to the beat and causing "sparks". And then some of the ballroom ghouls danced and twirled, never even noticing the crowd of spectators watching.

BOO-TIP #4

There are two "Boo-to-You" Halloween Parades, 8:15 and 10:30. The 10:30 one is less crowded. The perfect spot to watch the parade is where it starts in Frontierland. Otherwise, expect a lag as it makes its way to you. No matter which parade time you choose, try to get a spot a little early that way you can see EVER STEP.

There are loads of characters that you can get your picture taken with. We found Mickey in Toon Town. At 10pm the line was about a 20 minute wait. Minnie seemed a little busier - she was also in Toon Town.

We saw characters from Jungle Book, Tarzan and Lion King in Frontier Land. We also saw Captain Hook right outside of Pirates of the Caribbean. The kids LOVED Captain Hook, nearly capsizing him with their giant hugs. I am pretty sure he wasn't expecting that from a 3 year old and 1 year old! We also saw Snow White with the Seven Dwarves and Pooh and Friends doing photos outside The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. We did skip those character photos, since at that time we were trekking across the park to find Mickey. And if anyone knows where Donald does his character photo for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Party, I would love to know. My kids were dying to see him, and we just couldn't find him. But this takes us to:

BOO-TIP #5

Don't waste time in long lines to meet characters. All characters will be out until 11:30pm. The later you stay at the park, the shorter the lines are.

As a parent, I can easily see taking part in this even yearly or bi-yearly. We are already making plans to go again next year. And I've talked to quite a few of my friends about the party, already. Of course, they had some questions. Here are the most common questions and my answers:

Is the cost worth it?

A ticket for ages 10 and up is between $52 - 59. It is $46 - 53 for ages 3 to 9. It is free for under 3. The amount you pay depends on the day you attend and any discounts. Now, a one day ticket to Disney (to compare) is between $68 and $79 dollars. A "day" ticket is good for between 9 am and 7 pm. The Halloween Party ticket is good from 7 pm to 12 am. The one thing I noticed is how less crowded it was on October 9th when I went, as opposed to when I went to the parks during the day on October 7th (for Epcot) and October 1st (Hollywood Studios). It was almost like having the park to myself. The longest wait was 20 minutes. Many rides and character greetings were a 10 minute wait or less. We even got to go on Snow White's Scary Adventure, something that we usually can't do because of the insane crowd. During the Not-So-Scary Halloween Party we simply walked on and relived memories. So even though the time spent in the park is shorter, you can do more. Plus the Parade makes it SO WORTH IT. Most rides are open, including Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan's Flight, Dumbo, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Tomorrowland Speedway, The Barnstormer... and there is plenty more that is open, those are just my top choices.

BOO-TIP #7

And if you want to go on a coaster but have little kids, you and your spouse/partner can take turns riding. Just ask a Disney Cast Member for help!

Is it appropriate for my child?

I saw every age, from newborns to older adults without kids. As a parent with little ones, I would love to say that no one else should go. Mwa-ha-ha! More candy for us! Kidding, though. I can easily see my boys enjoying this as "children", tweens and teens.

There were some adults, maybe in their 30s, going with friends and dressed a little inappropriate. I wondered what their attraction to the event would be? But for the most part I saw lots of little princesses, families dressed as "Incredibles" or as the characters from Peter Pan. There was even some adult men there dressed as Darth Vader and some Storm Troopers. Again, I am curious about the attraction for the adult men - and they got stopped for A LOT of photos that they didn't look like they enjoyed. But their costumes were authentic ... what else could the expect???

My favorite family costumes that I saw were a mom dressed as Alice in Wonderland, her 16 month old dressed as the White Rabbit and her parents dressed as the King and Queen of Hearts.

BOO-TIP #7

It's Florida, people. The weather is finicky in October. The weather can be cool and dry or hot and humid ... even at night. Check the forecast and dress appropriately. I saw so many people sweating in their costumes and looking uncomfortable. My husband and I wore shorts and tees. Albeit, I wore an Andy Monsters tee. And my boys wore thin, black outfit with a glow in the dark skeleton. If the weather was cooler, we would have done full costumes ... but we wanted this to be enjoyable. So check that weather forecast! If you don't go on Halloween, feel free to wear any attire!

Is it crowded?

My guess is that it depends on when you go. I wrote above that the longest wait was 20 minutes, with most wait times being 10 minutes or less. I imagine that the later you go the more crowded it is. I think you can also guage the popularity of the night by the ticket price. The higher the ticket price, the more crowded it will be. I suggest choosing a night that is less popular so you can enjoy the atmosphere, parades, trick-or-treating and rides.

BOO-TIP #8

Buy your tickets in advance - they do sell out. As I write this, I am checking the site and I see that October 31st is sold out.

My family was already a huge Disney fan - hence the annual passes. But I know the boys will be thrilled to go again next year. My husband is already dreaming of their Rice Krispy Treats (they are yummy) and I can't wait to ride the Haunted Mansion! So if you are wavering on whether Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is right for your kids... just ask them! Or just go for yourselves!

Any questions about Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or any other Disney Park - just ask! We have annual passes and go often. Just leave your question as a comment here or e-mail me at erintales@themombuzz.com. And check out the official Not-So-Scary Disney site for dates, times and pricing.

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don't forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

Where Was the Mom Buzz? A Buzzy Week!

2009-10-12T13:37:00.000-04:00

I have to say the Mom Buzz has had a buzzy week. Yes, things keep going live at the Mom Buzz. Thank goodness for planning! But, while posts were going up here ... this is what I was doing:

1. Attending IZEAFest to learn how to improve the Mom Buzz for social networking

2. Spent a week at my parents beach house. It's one of my favorite places...

3. Went to St. Augustine, enjoyed an Alligator Farm (more like a zoo... they don't kill gators) and LuLi's Cupcake Bakery.

4. Had some Disney Mania, as I went to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT and Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! (BTW, there is still time to go! It is da' bomb!)

I plan to write some detailed posts and share some photos ... I just wanted to let you know what was coming up once I can get organized!

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don't forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

UPRINTING BUSINESS CARD WINNER

2009-10-12T10:27:00.000-04:00

Congratulations rccalyn for winning the Uprinting Business Cards contest from the Online Printing Company Uprinting. I am sure your business cards will look fabulous!

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don't forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

Mad Monster Party Halloween E-Card

2009-10-12T07:48:00.000-04:00

Lionsgate Home Entertainment is counting down the days to Halloween with special Halloween E-Cards released once a week through the month of October from the beloved animated Halloween classic Mad Monster Party.You can even tweet it!

The stop-motion movie Mad Monster Party comes from the team who created “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty the Snowman” and other classic holiday specials and was a major inspiration for Tim Burton in his creation of "The Nightmare Before Christmas."

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don't forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!

Helping Your Kids Cope With Moving: Tips from RealEstate.com

2009-10-11T07:40:00.001-04:00

Moving is a tough transition for anyone, but kids can sometimes find it especially difficult to cope with the change. For many, a big move means leaving their favorite friends, places and activities behind. But according to the experts at RealEstate.com, there are some tried-and-true methods that will help minimize the impact of a move and make it a rewarding experience for everyone. I thought these quick tips might be of interest to you to post!

Follow Established Home Routines: For all children, but especially pre-schoolers and kids in primary school, follow established home routines faithfully for the first few months after you move. This means having dinner at the same time, serving familiar foods, watching favorite TV shows, going to bed at the same time and observing the same bedtime rituals on a day-to-day basis.

Let Your Child Decorate: Let your child pick the paint color; the fabric for curtains and bedspread and choose posters for the walls. Younger children typically resist change of any kind. If this is the case with your child, it may help to replicate the décor and furniture arrangement of his or her old room as closely as possible.

Help Your Child Keep Up With Old Friends: Encourage your child to write and exchange photos; arrange phone calls, visits and sleepovers on a regular basis. Kids who are struggling to make new friends find it very relaxing and comforting to be with old buddies they don’t have to impress.

Reinforce Their Confidence: For school-age children, reinforce your child’s confidence by enabling him or her to participate in extra-curricular activities. Whether it’s soccer or music lessons, continuing a favorite activity or starting a new one gives you your child feelings of competence and self-esteem that don’t depend on how well he or she is fitting into the social order at the new school.

For more moving tips visit realestate.com!

Breast Cancer Fundraiser and Giveaway

2009-10-10T17:11:00.000-04:00

Personal Fit Coach has joined forces with Yeahtips.com to help raise money for breast cancer research. This October, marks the 25th anniversary of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Our goal is to raise money through social networking and blogging.
Yeahtips.com is going to donate $1 to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® for each new Yeahtips Twitter follower and Facebook fan. The goal is to reach $100. But why stop there? Personal Fit Coach will match this with another donation of $100. If you have a blog and want to join us, please do so. Wouldn't it be amazing if 10 or 20 or even more blogs raised $100 each. Lets get the ball rolling and see where this goes.

Win Great Prizes
In addition to raising money, we'll recognize our great new followers and fans with some terrific prizes.

First Prize
DVD Fitness Bundle provided by Yeahtips.com

Sharon Mann Body Sculpting Video DVD
The Ultimate Bikini Body Workout DVD
FITNESS WITH THE PROS DVD
Quick and Dirty Guide to Salsa

Detailed descriptions for these DVDs here at Yeahtips.com

Second Prize
Pure and Simple Yoga DVD provided by PersonalFitCoach.com
Detailed description of this DVD here at PersonalFitCoach.com

Compact Givaaway
In addition, 12 lovely compact mirrors will be given away at random. This is a continuation of the Yeahtips.com Health is Beautiful campaign. More information here.

Keep Informed About Breast Cancer Awareness

First and foremost, we want to help keep everyone educated about Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Awareness month. Stop by NBCAM.org to keep yourself up to date on the latest breast cancer news and research.

Head on over to PersonalFitCoach.com for entry details.

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don't forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products!