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Tuesday Tours: What’s Happening on the Web

March 31, 2009 By 3 Comments

j02933381 Tuesday Tours: Whats Happening on the Web

Welcome to “Tuesday Tours: What’s Happening on the Web” where I serve as your tour guide and showcase the best contests, freebies, deals, and reads for moms on the web…all in one convenient location.

Contests

You may have heard the news by now: BlogHer ’09 is sold out. But you can still win a FREE registration pass over at ZRecommends. Hurry…the deadline is TOMORROW.

Bloggy Giveaways is featuring an etsy shop this week called Hazelnut Cottage. To celebrate the shop, one winner will walk away with an “I am blessed” necklace. That phrase fits my life just perfectly and I’d love to wear it around my neck. Deadline: April 3.

We recently watched Twilight and I can’t stop thinking about it. I actually should write a post about it because there’s so much to say. I’m curious: have you seen it and, if so, what did you think? Renee {Cutie Booty Cakes} is giving away a Twilight prize pack that is valued at $150. Enter before Apr. 4.

It’s spring! Planting season is here and I’d really love to grow a vegetable garden, but I have no idea how to go about it. Maybe the Scotts GroGood garden starter set that is up for grabs at 5 Minutes for Giveaways will help. Deadline: April 10.

Fractured Toy is giving away Haagen-Dazs gift certificates. No need to say more. Deadline: April 11.

I just discovered Neige (a children’s clothing company) over at Momtrends and I love the classy styles. Enter to win a $250 shopping spree to the online shop before April 30.

Freebies

Get a FREE single scoop ice cream cone at MaggieMoo’s on April 15th (Tax Day). Is there a MaggieMoo’s in your town?

Join the Mim’s Cafe E-Club and receive a coupon for a FREE breakfast.

Good Reads

Audrey at Blissful Style gives the Do’s and Don’ts of Successful Thrift Store Shopping. I’ve never been a big fan of thrift stores (The smell! The mess! The “eeew” factor!), but I may reconsider because my friend Nicole always has such cute clothes and she’s a “regular” at the local thrift shops.

“The deeper I delve into this blogging community, the more I realize I belong here.” So begins a beautiful and inspiring post called Unplugged over at We Are THAT Family. I especially relate to the first three paragraphs.

Ever wondered how to design and upload a blog header? Jo-Lynne {DCR Design} shares her “top secret” tips.

Miscellany

I’d like to try this Spaghetti Squash recipe {via little window shoppe}. It involves zucchini, tomatoes, and fresh parmesan cheese…and looks perfect for a light summertime lunch.

These cute Kids Cardboard Chairs from The Land of Nod are on sale for $19.95 (down from $69).

This video by Lansinoh perpetuates the myth that breastfeeding shouldn’t/doesn’t hurt (it does…), but it also has some excellent breastfeeding pointers about how to latch your baby on correctly.

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*** If you have a contest or an announcement that you think might be a good fit for Tuesday Tours, e-mail me at stephanie@metropolitanmama.net.

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2 Pretty Girls: 2 Weeks Old and 2 Years Old

March 30, 2009 By 22 Comments

sleeping babe 1 2 Pretty Girls: 2 Weeks Old and 2 Years Old sleeping babe 21 2 Pretty Girls: 2 Weeks Old and 2 Years Old blue and white dress 1 2 Pretty Girls: 2 Weeks Old and 2 Years Old blue and white dress 2 2 Pretty Girls: 2 Weeks Old and 2 Years Old

Filed Under: About Me Tagged With: , ,

On Our Way To A Paperless Life

March 29, 2009 By 198 Comments

We’re about to get rid of this monster of a filing cabinet:

img 2358 91x150 On Our Way To A Paperless Life

Thanks to Neat Receipts, a mobile scanner and digital filing system:

nr On Our Way To A Paperless Life

Here’s how it works: You scan in your receipts, business cards, invoices, recipes, medical insurance forms, just about anything. Then, this smart little guy “identifies and extracts the important information—and automatically organizes it for you.” You’re then able to search, share, or print the documents at will.

Instead of giving you all the specs here, I recommend you head over to The Neat Company website for a complete video tour and more info. 

What I can say is that using this “wonder machine” is WAY better than getting buried under piles and piles of paperwork. It’s an organized person’s dream-come-true.  

If you already own a nice scanner, you may want to just purchase the software. It’s simple, straightforward, and available for $79.95. 

We’re on our way to a paperless life and that feels good. Want to join us? C’mon…you know you want to shred up all that paperwork and toss your filing cabinet out the window…

WIN IT! One winner will receive a NeatReceipts or NeatReceipts for Mac ($199.94). To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, April 6 at midnight (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

*UPDATE* The winner is #5 Carol. Congratulations!

Filed Under: Giveaways, money management, working mother

Hop Your Way to Super Storage Solutions

March 29, 2009 By 121 Comments

picture 16 150x60 Hop Your Way to Super Storage SolutionsKangaRoom Storage launched in 2006 with a mission to provide “functional, fashion-forward, unique storage solutions.” You’ll find bins, baskets, bookshelves, totes, chests, and trays in bright colors and one-of-a-kind designs on Kangaroom’s website. The items are cheery and fun and well-suited for family and/or kids’ rooms.

We were sent the Corky Wall Organizer ($29.99) in lime green to review. It’s modern and funky and is now hanging in our 2-year-old’s room at her eye level. The pockets are specifically designed to hold photos, notes, keys, glasses, and more.

303 150x150 Hop Your Way to Super Storage Solutions

I also love the Hanging Five-Shelf Kids Clothes Organizer ($30). Labeled with the days of the week (M-F), this organizer is sure to keep your schoolage child or tween/teen prepared for the week ahead. It seems like an excellent way to avoid “I-have-nothing-to-wear” meltdowns on school days.

kids hanging 5 shelf clothes organizer 178x300 Hop Your Way to Super Storage Solutions

And I’m enamored by the new Recycle Bags. What a great way to be “reminded” to recycle throughout the week. And they’re only $12.99.

recycle bags 150x150 Hop Your Way to Super Storage Solutions

YOUR TURN: What is your favorite item from KangaRoom Storage?

WIN IT! One winner will receive a Corky Wall Organizer ($29.99) from KangaRoom Storage. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, April 6 at midnight (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

*UPDATE* The winner is #24 Anne at Catholic Mommy Brain. Congratulations!

Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Something Colorful This Way Comes

March 29, 2009 By 158 Comments

You’re a colorful girl in a colorful world.

Why stick to boring bags when you can liven up your look with bright, springerful colors?

Don’t you just love this fun and functional laptop backpack: Piggy Back Backpack ($89)?

piggy back group 300x181 Something Colorful This Way Comes

Or maybe you’re a new mom and you’d be more inclined to carry a fashionable Baby-umptious diaper bag ($168).

baby default1 300x181 Something Colorful This Way Comes

Or maybe you’re the traveling type and you want to tote around your toiletries in style: Kiss and Make Up cosmetic bag.

kissandmakeup group 01 300x181 Something Colorful This Way Comes

Interested? Check out Melissa Beth Designs, a company that is “on a quest to rid the world of bulky black boring laptop bags.” And – so far – they appear to be conquering the world. 

head 2 150x48 Something Colorful This Way ComesWant to know more about Melissa Beth? She’s a 28-year-old entrepreneur with a love of fashion, business, travel, and fun. You can read her newly-launched blog for musings about all of the above. 

YOUR TURN: How do you keep your make-up organized…in your bathroom or on-the-go?

WIN IT! One winner will receive a Kiss and Make Up cosmetic bag ($48) from Melissa Beth Designs. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Sunday, April 5 at midnight (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

P.S. The title of this post is inspired by a famous quote from one of Shakespeare’s plays {anyone know which one?}. I thought I should mention that in case you’re not the nerdy English-major type like me… 

*UPDATE* The winner is #47 laurie. Congratulations!

Filed Under: fashion, Giveaways, Travel With Kids Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Good-Bye Chemicals ; Hello Clean

March 28, 2009 By 101 Comments

If you’re a regular reader, you know that I do a lot of product reviews (and giveaways) on my blog.

I’ve had the privilege of working with great brands like Disney, Sony, Bass Pro, and Radisson Suites.

disney20logo20colorsg8 Good Bye Chemicals ; Hello Clean sony logo 1 Good Bye Chemicals ; Hello Clean basspro Good Bye Chemicals ; Hello Clean rad logo Good Bye Chemicals ; Hello Clean

I love experiencing the newest products that are out on the market and sharing the pros + cons with you.

But I don’t agree to review just any ‘ol product. I only agree if I think the product is something that I will use and something that fits our lifestyle…which is why I generally turn down product pitches for processed snack foods, DVDs designed for babies, character-branded kids items, non-family-friendly films, medications, and cleaning products that are comprised of harsh chemicals.

e cloth 300x54 Good Bye Chemicals ; Hello CleanWhen I clean, I like to clean without toxins. Especially in the kitchen. I don’t see how it can be healthy to regularly spray harsh chemicals on to the same surfaces (countertops, tables, stovetop, microwave, etc.) that we eat off of.

That’s why I’m a fan of E-cloth. Originally developed for Swedish hospitals, the high-quality microfiber cloth is cost-effective, environmentally-friendly, and utilizes water to clean surfaces. No chemicals needed! You can read more about the “science” behind E-cloth on the website.

ebatkit large eclothkitch1 Good Bye Chemicals ; Hello CleanWe tried the Kitchen Pack ($17.98 with FREE shipping), which includes a Glass & Polishing Cloth and a General Purpose Cloth, along with a spray bottle. The cloths can be washed 300+ times and I think the material really does work to pick up grime and dust effectively. I still think I’ll need to use soap/cleaners sometimes, but the e-cloth seems great for every day use.

YOUR TURN: What products do YOU use to clean your kitchen?

WIN IT! One winner will receive a Kitchen Pack ($17.98). To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Sunday, April 5 at midnight (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

*UPDATE* The winner is #80 Jennifer gersch. Congratulations!

Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: , , , ,

Themed Weekend: Spring Cleaning

March 27, 2009 By 20 Comments

spring cleaning Themed Weekend: Spring CleaningTwo weeks ago today, I was laboring at my kitchen table. Trying to eat the enchiladas that I had just made for dinner. Not knowing that I would be holding my sweet baby girl in my arms 3 1/2 hours later.

Now, I’m sitting here on my couch with a sleeping newborn on my chest. Typing one-handed. Glancing down in awe and wonderment every so often at this beautiful miracle that has overtaken my heart. 

In the past two weeks, I’ve accomplished a lot. But not the kind of accomplishments you might think. I haven’t cleaned the house or baked cupcakes (or even left my house for that matter). But:

  • I DID have a baby. 
  • I AM breastfeeding every 2-4 hours through the day and night (despite the pain). 
  • I HAVE  been out on walks in the neighborhood. 

That’s sweet success in my book.

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Amazingly, our house is pretty clean right now – thanks to my hard-working husband. The floors are mopped. The sheets are freshly laundered. And the dishes are put away. 

While I can’t ship my husband off to your house to clean this weekend (Sorry! He’s all mine!), I am going to provide some tips and products to help you in your quest for a clean home this weekend. Stay tuned!

Now I’m just trying to figure out what I’m going to do when my husband goes back to work on Monday…and leaves me alone with two gorgeous little girls…

one who is extremely active and wants to play all day long…

 big sister Themed Weekend: Spring Cleaning

and one who wants to nurse all day long…

 little sister Themed Weekend: Spring Cleaning

Any suggestions?

Filed Under: themed weekends Tagged With: ,