The Shopping Mama

WheresFlu App Has This Mom Armed to the Teeth

by Kate on January 23rd, 2011 | 5 Comments | Life, Parenting

My neighborhood is at Flu virus threat level yellow. This means I only enter public areas fully gloved and masked, carry disinfecting wipes in a quick-draw, yet stylish, hip canister, and have been know to spray down unsuspecting strangers with Lysol. Threat level red would mean total lock down. Okay, not really. But I do know that 5-10% of the people in my area are affected by cough, cold and flu…a level considered moderate or yellow…and I do wash my hands A LOT.

WheresFlu™ App

How do I know this? I have the WheresFlu™ App from the makers of Theraflu^®. This App let’s you keep up on the outbreaks of colds, cough and flu or flu-like symptoms where you live or in areas where you may be traveling (in the United States).

WheresFlu measures weekly activity for cold and flu based upon real-time reports of symptoms from SDI FAN® (a source used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). SDI FAN® covers illness levels in 135 regions across the country utilizing panel-member reporting along with patient-specific data. With a few simple clicks (taps?) you will know the infection level of your area and the 5 most infected cities in the country. Is yours on the list?

The WheresFlu App is free and available for Android, Blackberry and the iPhone. Check out this WheresFlu link to learn more about the program and get the free App.

Dealing with Cold and Flu Season

Cold and Flu season is no fun and even though we do our best to prevent the spread of germs (I don’t really lysol strangers), my little guy is sick. We’re following all the advice of the experts (see our Flu Prevention Post): we wipe down shopping carts and high chairs with disinfectant wipes, wash our hands frequently and everyone has their flu shot. So far we’ve been pretty healthy and this is first big cold, so share your advice. How do you avoid cold and flu and what tricks do you have for taking care of a sick baby? (We’ve got snuggle time, aka get snot all over mommy, down.)

This is a sponsored post through the Momtrends Blogger Outreach program for WheresFlu

Get Hooked on MamaBargains.com ($50 Giveaway)

by Kate on January 23rd, 2011 | 5 Comments | Giveaways, Reviews

In the current world of online bargain hunting for kids’ gear, it seems like there are new discount sites popping up almost daily. I’m certainly not complaining, but there is something to be said for a site doing it right. And MamaBargains.com has been doing right by moms for two and a half years one hot deal at a time.

By Mama, For Mamas

MamaBargains.com was founded in May 2008 by Jessica Singer who, at the time had two children under two. She literally dreamed about the concept and then put it into action. I loved reading she purchased the products for the first ever sale on the site – 500 Timi & Leslie diaper bags – using her own funds. Talk about starting with a bang – those bag are awesome. Jessica is committed to customer service and is it shows by her active participation on the www.MamaBargains.com Facebook community (over 62,000 Likes strong!).

How MamaBargains.com Works

The first and only one deal at a time website featuring premium products at premium discounts {always 50-80 percent} MamaBargains.com offers two to 10 coveted products daily for chic children and their parents. The random, mysterious first quality bargain experience creates buzz and enhances the excitement in the “deal of the moment” buying process – creating a “get it before it’s gone” frenzy. With thousands of “hooked” customers, MamaBargains provides unparalleled, personalized service.

At any given time throughout the day, you’ll find a deal live on MamaBargains.com – just one deal and you don’t know how long it’s going to last. My favorite part of the website is the hilarious graphic of the pregnant mama that provides a status update on the sale from “Lots Left” to “Almost Gone”.

Here she is showing you the status on the Cariboo Bassinet (::swoon::) deal. All deals offer a product discounted between 40 and 80 percent. The Caribbo Bassinet is normally $475 and was on MamaBargains.com for $179.50 – that’s 62% off!

While you can certainly find high ticket items like the Bassinet and strollers on the site, you can also find goodies for as little as $5. It’s fun to browse the recent sales on MamaBargains to get a sense of what’s offered and for how much. I think you’ll find there’s quite a variety in price tag as well as cool products aimed at kids from birth to 10 years old. While there were a number of sales that caught my eye, I’m bummed I missed out on this HaPE Dollhouse that was on sale for only $49.

Some of the other brands that have partnered with MamaBargains include Fleurville, Lexie Barnes, Uppababy, Baby Star, Easy Walker, Kate Quinn Organics, Beco Baby Carriers, Rileyroos, Kidorable and Svan.

Shop! Part of the fun of MamaBargains.com is that you never know when a new deal is going to appear. You have to check back throughout the day and jump on a hot one when you see it. The best way to learn of new deals is to follow MamaBargains on Twitter and Facebook.

Win! A $50 Gift Certificate to MamaBargains.com!

How to Enter: There are two easy steps -

Visit MamaBargains.com to check out the current deal AND
Like MamaBargains.com on Facebook OR Follow MamaBargains.com on Twitter and then leave a comment letting us know which you do.

Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

If you Like MamaBargains on Facebook AND Follow on Twitter, leave another comment.
Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave the link when you do.
Get hooked on MamaBargains.com with a $50 Giveaway @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/ftdLkx
Like The Shopping Mama on Facebook? If you Share or Like this post on your Facebook, leave another comment.
Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or RSS.
Sign up for the The Shopping Mama Newsletter.

Giveaway ends February 7. Open to US mailing addresses only.

Disclosure: Thanks to MamaBargains.com for providing the giveaway prize and a gift certificate to me so I can get my discount shop on. As always, opinions are my own.

Two Years and Counting… Happy Blogiversary!

by Kate on January 22nd, 2011 | 5 Comments | Blogging

Happy Two Year Blogiversary to The Shopping Mama!

Two years ago today I wrote my first little blog post about how much I like shopping for handmade things for my kids on Etsy. (Maybe not all that much has changed in two years?) When I started the blog I had no idea what it would become, and I certainly didn’t know how fulfilling it would be for me. It has really turned into a job, but a job that I LOVE and don’t know what I would do without – particularly at difficult times like now when my husband is deployed.

The last year has been a big one for me and the blog. Traffic has literally tripled in the year (Thank YOU!), I was awarded an amazing sponsorship to BlogHer (Thank you, Energizer!), and The Shopping Mama team has grown to five strong (Thank you Amy, Monica, Malia & Shannon!). It’s been really amazing having some good friends contribute to the blog – and they do so much more than write posts: they’re smart, creative and a great sounding board for all my crazy ideas.

But, I have to say the coolest thing that’s happened in the last year was totally behind the scenes – and much bigger than the blog. I wrote a Tutu Pour Mon Deux review and giveaway last spring and mentioned that the owner Erika’s daughter had heart surgery at the Children’s Hospital of Boston. Turns out a reader, and friend from college, read the post shortly after learning her son had to have heart surgery at Children’s Hospital of Boston. The reader contacted Erika and turns out her daughter had the same surgery performed by the same doctor my friend’s son was scheduled to have. They emailed back and forth and Erika was a great resource and support for my friend. I know I didn’t really have much to do with it, but I do get chills knowing I had a hand in getting them in touch and making my friend’s experience at a very scary time a little better.

There are big things in store for the third year of The Shopping Mama, including behind the scenes business moves (like forming an LLC and applying for Trademark protection!) and hopefully entertaining and enjoyable posts for all of you. I know the this year is going to be even bigger and better, and I hope you’ll join us for the fun!

SWAGG: A Super Cool App for Shopping #cleverswagg

by Kate on January 21st, 2011 | 5 Comments | Shopping

Like a lot of people, I received gift cards for Christmas. Perfect for me since I love shopping – and there’s nothing like shopping for yourself with gifted money. As you know, I downloaded the SWAGG app before Christmas so as soon as I got my gift cards, I loaded the gift cards on my iPhone for simple shopping.

Storing Gift Cards on SWAGG is easy – you enter the name of the store and relevant gift card numbers. The app stores all the info and tracks what you spend. For me, this is the best part. I hate having a gift card in my wallet and not knowing if it has $49 dollars or $0.49 cent balance.

I admit I felt a little funny the first time I used the SWAGG app at Sephora, but I handed over my iPhone with the gift card number nice and big and easy to read. The cashier entered the info into the register and I was all set. Gift card spent! I asked her if it was helpful or annoying to use the app versus a gift card, and she said it was convenient and easy.

Another option I haven’t used yet is that you can Give Gift Cards via SWAGG. You can send a store specific or general gift that allows the recipient to pick from participating stores. All you need is the person’s email address. Super easy and you can do it all from the app on your phone. Right now the participating stores including American Apparel, American Eagle Outfitters, Crocs, 1-800-Flowers.com and a few more. (You can store and use the app for ANY gift card, but can only send gift card gifts from partner stores.) SWAGG plans to add more partner stores that will only make the program better.

Finally, a totally convenient feature that I need to use more on SWAGG is to store Rewards Cards. I sign up for nearly every shopping rewards program out there but who wants to carry around every single card? I don’t. You just enter the membership number on the app so you’ll always have the number with you. Much better than a wallet full of cards!

Shop! The SWAGG App is FREE so download it now.

I was selected to be a SWAGG Brand Ambassador by Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity. This is a compensated program, but all of the opinions I share are my own.

phil&teds Stroller Recall

by Kate on January 21st, 2011 | 5 Comments | Life

We were just talking our favorite double strollers today on Facebook and the brand phil&teds came up over and over again. And,while the stroller is beloved, it has been recalled to repair due to an amputation and laceration hazards. The recall affects about 22,000 strollers sold in the US and7,200 strollers sold in Canada.

According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission Recall, “When folding and unfolding the stroller, a consumer’s finger can become caught in the hinge mechanism, posing amputation and laceration hazards.”

Recall Specifics

The recall affects the Sport v2 and Classic v1 strollers sold between May 2008 and July 2010. To find out if your stroller is involved in the recall, check the serial number printed on the inside of the folding hinge.

Sport v2 model serial numbers included in the recall are 0309/0001 to 0510/0840. The code SPv2 should be printed on the safety strap attached to the handle.
Classic v1 models serial numbers are 0308/0001 to 0510/0906. The code E3C is printed on the wrist safety strap attached to the stroller handle.

If Your Stroller is Recalled

The CPSC recommends consumers stop using the recalled strollers and contact phil&ted to request a hinge-cover repair kit. You can call phil&teds at (877) 432-1642 9 AM and 7 PM EST Monday through Friday or go to www.philandteds.com/support. There is additional information about the recall at phil&teds.

BOB Strollers is Expecting

by Kate on January 21st, 2011 | 5 Comments | Shopping

Usually when I hear that some man is expecting I roll my eyes and change the channel. This is a completely different story. The “other man” in my life, BOB, is expecting and I couldn’t be more excited!

Possibly the most loved jogging stroller ever has made some changes for the new year and on February 1st they are going to let us all in on the secret.

They have told us that the 2011 strollers will still be rugged and high-performing and that we can expect:

A contemporary look and feel.
Fresh colors and fabrics.
New easy-to-use features.

I’m super curious about the changes and can’t wait to hear all the details… so I googled around and found this photo that a high-end department store must have ready to go. (I’m not sure we’re supposed to see it and it’s a bit fuzzy, but who can resist?) What do you think? I think I could find a place for another, cleaner cut, man in my life even though I will always love my old style BOB too.

Join BOB for a baby shower on BOB’s Facebook Page and learn all the details first and enter to win a 2011 Stroller of Your Choice! Contest Open February 1-18, 2011.

Tangled Rapunzel Doll & Vanity Review

by Kate on January 21st, 2011 | 5 Comments | Reviews, Toys

Last month in conjunction with the release of the movie Tangled, Tollytots debuted the sweet little Tangled Rapunzel doll with Vanity. (And we were lucky to give one away to a reader!) My daughter received one so we could share our experience, and I put it away until after the holidays. There was just so much going on – and so much stuff – that I wanted to save this toy for a rainy snowy day. If you ask my daughter, it was worth the wait.

Toddler Rapunzel with Enchanted Vanity

Pretty young Rapunzel likes ot look her best. Help her get ready for her exciting adventures at this charming vanity table that lights up with a magical sound any time Rapunzel comes near.

Doll & Vanity Fun

My daughter was giggling as soon a I opened the box to reveal the Tollytots doll and vanity. It always surprises me how giddy and downright excited my daughter gets about dolls. Even this doll inspired from a movie she’s never seen. She was squealing with glee. But, obviously her eye isn’t quite as discerning as mine.

Much like the Tollytots Disney Princess Carriage Playcenter, I was impressed with the accessories that come with the Vanity. In addition the Doll and Vanity, the set comes with a Vanity Stool, Brush, Hair Extension (it IS Rapunzel), Chameleon, Shoes and two Hair Clips. And like with the Carriage Playcenter, my daughter immediately tried to sit on the stool and admire herself in the vanity. Once she got over trying to sit on the Stool she began styling Rapunzel’s hair. The Vanity itself has three drawers, and when Rapunzel goes in front of the Vanity a light comes on and makes a sweet sound.

As thoughtful as some of the details and accessories are, the execution isn’t the best. It is, after all, a plastic toy made in China. The price reflects the quality and I think it’s a fun toy that I know my daughter will continue to enjoy. But, I don’t think it’s going to turn into a hand-me-down that multiple kids will enjoy.

The Rapunzel doll is sweet and, really, very cute. Of course, my daughter checked and her pretty princess dress does come off so you can easily play switcheroo with the clothes.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The Tangled Toddler Rapunzel with Enchanted Vanity will definitely please your little princess fan. My daughter is only 2, doesn’t know the Rapunzel story and she’s totally into the doll and vanity. I’m sure older toddlers would enjoy it even more.

Or Not To Buy… Thus far the doll and vanity have withstood lots of play and fun, but the longstanding quality is my main concern.

Shop! Tollytots Tangled Rapunzel dolls will be available at Target.com. The Doll and Vanity Set retails for $39.99.