The Domestic Buzz » Weekly Roundup http://thedomesticbuzz.com Product Reviews, Giveaways, and Personal Anecdotes Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:17:24 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 What’s buzzing? http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing/ http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing/#comments Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:11:32 +0000 Mariana http://thedomesticbuzz.com/?p=15049

How’s your weekend going?

We are at the peak of fall colors and activities over here! These roundups are popular, but take me so long to compile that I’ve decided to aim for once  a month instead of every week (or every other).

BLOG WORTH READING

APP

  • Sid’s Science Fair App: Based on the animated preschool series Sid the Science Kid from The Jim Henson Company, Sid’s Science Fair App encourages children ages 3 to 6 to explore and experience science. Sid’s Science Fair supports PBS KIDS’ curricular focus on STEM – science, technology, engineering and math. The app includes three fun mini-games that build science and math skills. $2.99 at the iTunes App Store.

BLOGGING

COOL WEBSITE

  • Bring Science Home: Learn how to keep your candy cool with physics, find the hidden colors of autumn leaves, make moon cycles with an orange, and much more! Every week, Scientific American features a fun, new, science-related activity that parents and their six- to 12-year-olds can do together, often with common household items. Adults will find easy-to-follow instructions and simple materials lists as well as additional background to help them explain the key concepts. For more information about the program, please visit the website at: ScientificAmerican.com/BringScienceHome.

CRAFTS

HEALTH & FITNESS

FOOD

FREEBIE

  • Free appetizer! McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant has partnered with Ocean Spray to challenge its bartenders nationwide to shake, stir and muddle their best cocktail they could, using delicious Ocean Spray juices. The three finalists are now going head-to-head in a public vote on the McCormick & Schmick’s Facebook page through November 13, competing to be featured as the newest specialty cocktail on the McCormick & Schmick’s bar menus nationwide. And, just by casting your vote, they’ll give you a coupon good for one free Happy Hour appetizer on your next visit!
  • Free holiday card samples! Using code 5HOLIDAY, you can order up to 5 free holiday card samples from Tiny Prints. Offer expires 11/8. Samples can be ordered from the individual card pages.

GOOD CAUSE

  • Share-It-Forward: For millions of girls in developing countries, sanitary protection is a luxury item and the lack of affordable resources can have devastating lifelong consequences. Unable to afford sanitary protection, countless young women resort to dangerous alternatives or simply avoid school for the duration of their periods, which can lead girls to abandon school altogether and increases their vulnerability to poverty and disease, including HIV. Recognizing this often overlooked crisis, the o.b. Brand has created the Share-It-Forward Facebook campaign to raise money and awareness for Huru International, a non-profit organization that provides at-risk young girls in developing countries with the resources and knowledge they need to complete their education and safeguard their health. Now through December 5th, the o.b. Brand will donate $1 (up to $25,000) for every person who visits the o.b. Outreach Tab on the mighty. small. movement Facebook page and “Shares” a message about Huru International’s mission. Please help us spread word of an important cause and support women in need. Will you help Share-It-Forward? Like the mighty.small.movement. Facebook Page and spread the word!

TOYS

  • People’s Play Awards: Time to Play’s editorial team has reviewed literally thousands of toys over the past year to come up with the best and the brightest in 25 categories. Now, it’s your turn! Voting is open through November 28th, and America’s Wish List will be unveiled on a special live webcast on Friday, December 2nd. From December 3rd through the 15th, they’ll be giving away one of the nominated toys every day. To enter, fill in the form after placing your vote!
  • GIANTmicrobes: These plush toys and merchandise are based on tiny microbes like the cold, flu, and brain cell. My favorite item is the adorable kid friendly soap dispenser that looks just like the common cold plush and makes kids want to wash their hands. For more info, visit http://www.giantmicrobes.com, and follow GIANTmicrobes on Facebook and Twitter.

TV/MOVIES

  • Minnie’s Bow-Toons: Premieres Monday, November 14 on Disney Junior. “Minnie’s Bow-Toons,” follows the adventures of Minnie Mouse and her good friend Daisy Duck as they run Minnie’s Bow-Tique, a specialty shop stocked only with colorful bows and bowties. The series premieres with a new episode airing at 8:55 a.m., ET/PT each day during Minnie’s birthday week, November 14 – November 19 on Disney Channel and DisneyJunior.com. Fans can also log on to DisneyJunior.com/Minnie to play Minnie-themed games and download new coloring pages, as well as see a special sneak-peek of the following day’s episode before it premieres on air!
  • Dora the Explorer: Celebrate with Dora: Available on DVD on November 15. Enjoy all of Dora’s favorite holidays and fiestas in this new three-DVD box set, Dora the Explorer: Celebrate with Dora. This special set includes Dora’s Christmas!, Dora’s Halloween and Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure, all in one gift-able collection! Created by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment, Dora the Explorer: Celebrate with Dora has a suggested retail price of $29.99 and runs for approximately 291 mins.

TIS THE SEASON

  • 5 Educational Things To Do With (Halloween) Candy. Mommy Maestra.
  • 100 Days of Holidays at Parents.com. Sign up to get the best ideas for holiday recipes, crafts, treats, decorations, and more! Parents.com.
  • Respect the Bird: Is Thanksgiving as we know it an endangered species? With Halloween’s ghosts barely banished, each year retailers push the Christmas season upon consumers earlier and earlier – and all at the expense of the Thanksgiving holiday. A survey from Allrecipes.com, the world’s #1 food site, found that 82 percent of Americans think Christmas is marketed too early and the Thanksgiving holiday gets too little attention. To savor the true meaning of Thanksgiving, Allrecipes is inviting turkey lovers to join its Respect the Bird! movement, a grassroots effort to tune out the distractions of Black Friday that intrude upon Thanksgiving week. On www.RespectTheBird.com turkey fans can take the Respect the Bird Pledge, a promise to fully enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday and not begin shopping for the December holidays until after November 24, and get recipes and tips for their Thanksgiving festivities.

CONTESTS & PROMOTIONS

  • America Recyles Day video contest: In honor of America Recycles Day (November 15) USAgain invites K-12 schools to submit short videos (2 minutes or less in length) highlighting how their school is making a difference by ‘going green.’ Videos will be judged by USAgain on their creativity and clarity of message and winners will be awarded cash prizes of $500, $300 and $250 respectively. Open to all K-12 schools, the contest is a fun and educational way to raise recycling awareness and earn cash for schools. All entries must be received before November 30, 2011. See complete rules and details here.
  • 3rd annual Tiny Prints Talent Search Contest: Enter for a chance to win the grand prize of $1,000 cash, plus a $500 Tiny Prints gift certificate! Tiny Prints is looking for your cutest baby, kid, family, couple, and pet photos! Entry period ends on November 15, and voting begins the next day. Enter the Tiny Print Talent Search Contest via Facebook or on their website.
  • MyPlate Fruits and Veggies Video Challenge: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is challenging Americans to create short videos (approx. 30 seconds) that provide innovative, easy, and practical tips on how to eat more fruits and veggies on a budget. The video challenge supports First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative, which is dedicated to ending childhood obesity. The videos can be songs, skits, or how-to videos, as long as they feature one tip and the message ‘Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.’ Nine winners will be awarded cash prizes. The deadline to submit a video is November 15, 2011 at 5 p.m. EST. For more details, please visit fruitsandveggies.challenge.gov.

ADD YOUR LINK

  • Your favorite post of the week, a giveaway… anything you want to share. Just include a short description and make sure the URL links directly to the post itself, or your submission will be deleted.

Have a great week!

]]> http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing/feed/ 0 What’s buzzing this week? 10/16/11 http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-101611/ http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-101611/#comments Sun, 16 Oct 2011 22:05:58 +0000 Mariana http://thedomesticbuzz.com/?p=14945

It’s been quiet around here. I know. I’ve just been kind of feeling ‘blah’ lately. I’m not going to Blogalicious next week, which I’m bummed about, and generally just having a hard time balancing online life and offline reality. What’s new, right? ;)

As always, the following is a roundup of great stuff I’ve found while browsing the Internet over the past week. Add your own links at the bottom of the page!

APPS

  • Two of my favorite game apps right now are Peggle and Where’s My Water. Peggle (iPhone and iPad) is an arcade-style game where you have to clear pegs my shooting them. Best description I can give you LOL! I also have it on my Android phone. Where’s My Water (universal app) is the #1 game in the iTunes app store at the moment, I believe. In this game, you have to help guide water into Swampy the Alligator’s bathtub. Sounds simple, but this challenging physics-based puzzler is anything but! Both games are total time sucks, but so fun!
  • Facebook finally came out with an iPad app last week. It only took ‘em a year and a half. NBC also recently upgraded its iPad app so that you can watch entire episodes on the tablet. Like ABC and CBS have done from the beginning.

BLOGGING

COOL WEBSITES

  • Get Schooled. As students across the country get back into the swing of school, too many teenagers are stepping out and missing class. Studies show that students with more than 10 absences in a school year risk falling behind. Students with more than 20 absences have only a one-in-five chance of graduating. The Get Schooled Foundation launched the Wake Up and Get Schooled campaign aimed at encouraging more students to get to school every day. A diverse group of celebrity entertainers and athletes are donating their time and talent to offer these youths a wake-up call. Students nationwide can sign up on GetSchooled.com to receive phone calls with pre-recorded morning wake up messages from some of their favorite celebrities including Baron Davis, Ciara, Cappie Pondexter, Greyson Chance, Jesse McCartney, Nicki Minaj, Trey Songz, and Wiz Khalifa. Additional celebrities are recording wake up calls every day. The pre-recorded messages, running throughout the school year until June 2012, stress the importance of getting up and going to school every day.
  • ShareAGift.com is a brand new “social gifting” website that just launched. It allows groups of people to pool their money online in order to get someone a great gift – one you wouldn’t be able to afford alone. For example, an iPad or a trip to Paris, rather than the scented candle you were planning to buy. It’s a great service for the holidays or special occasions like weddings, birthdays, graduations and more. Sounds like a cool concept!

DIET & FITNESS

FOOD

FREEBIES

  • October is all about trick or treating, and Softlips is more interested in the “TREAT!” Every Tuesday in October, at noon ET, 10 winners will be randomly selected to win a cute Softlips T-Shirt and two dual-packs of Softlips lip balms. Visit www.facebook.com/softlips to enter. Sweepstakes ends on October 25.
  • Send a free Share Pack of Kleenex to a friend and get a free sample for yourself! Kleenex.com/SoftnessWorthSharing.

GOOD CAUSE

  • Stonyfield just launched a great campaign to support the nonprofit Breastcancer.org. You can help by going to www.click4breastcancer.org where you can read, listen to, and watch the stories of those affected by breast cancer. You’re encouraged to “like” and share these stories with others through your blog, Facebook, Twitter, and email. Each action generates a “click” and every time you perform one – such as “liking” or commenting on a story, sharing your own story, adding to the word cloud by clicking “for” someone, sending an email, or tweeting – Stonyfield donates $.10 to Breastcancer.org. It’s that easy. You don’t have to submit any personal information, make a donation, or anything like that.
  • Verizon Wireless is working on a cool initiative that allows people to upload their photos to a cultural mosaic and help raise money for victims of domestic violence. For every photo uploaded to this digital mosaic – hashtagart.com/verizonhispanicheritage - painted by artist Betsy Casañas, Verizon Wireless will donate $1 to Casa de Esperanza, which helps the Latino community. The painting will be revealed at the end as photos fill the canvas.

PHOTOGRAPHY

HEALTH & SAFETY

  • Acetaminophen is one of the most commonly used pain and fever relievers for infants and children and is safe and effective when used as directed. But recent changes to all infant’s and children’s over-the-counter liquid acetaminophen products that recently hit store shelves can be confusing for parents. And the changes are particularly important for the infants products, which have a new formulation and dosing mechanism. The new standard concentration liquid acetaminophen products for infants and children under age 2 will be 160 mg/5 ml. But what does this mean for parents? In this new educational video, Dr. Jim Sears, pediatrician and co-host of The Doctors, addresses the new, smart changes to the infant’s and children’s acetaminophen products along with a demonstration of the new dosing mechanisms. Dr. Sears even provides a few tips for helping the “medicine” to go down. Something all parents can use!

  • Wellness+ for diabetes is Rite Aid’s new loyalty program offering exclusive resources and savings specifically to people living with diabetes and their caregivers. What it means for savers is that there are now exclusive wellness+ for diabetes rewards, including a $10 +UP Reward for every $50 purchase of eligible diabetes-related products. And for members bringing in a new diabetes prescription, there are welcome packages containing more than $100 in savings on a variety of diabetes-related products. But the biggest component of this new program is the informational and lifestyle tracking components, which are available exclusively to Rite Aid wellness+ for diabetes members and are created in collaboration with WebMD. Check out www.riteaid.com/diabetes for more information or to enroll.

TECHNOLOGY

TOYS

  • Through November 10th, Radio Flyer is auctioning off Style N’ Ride Scooters featuring autographs from Hollywood’s hottest stars. All proceeds benefit the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), which was created last year along with Let’s Move!, and is led by honorary co-chair First Lady Michelle Obama. Each week brings a new round of auctions. This week, the bidding starts on scooters signed by: Stefanie Scott, Boo Boo Stewart & sister Fivel, Madison de la Garza, Maggie Q., Lucas Neff, Mark Wahlberg, and Tyra Banks. October 24-November 3: Apl.de.ap, Sterling Knight, Francia Raisa, Sean Kingston, Michael “The Miz” Mizanin, and Ashton Kutcher. October 31-November 10: Fergie, Demi Lovato, Kellan Lutz, Malese Jow, We Are Th3 Dorks, and One Republic. Check out the auction’s site: http://is.gd/radioflyer.
  • Raskullz – the maker of the totally awesome 3D helmets for kids – is taking their creative mastery to the world of bicycles and launching a brand new line of bikes. Taking bikes from boring to basic to adding some whimsy that will embrace a child’s fantasy of riding around on the back of a T-Rex or prancing atop a unicorn. Retailing for $79.99, these bikes will be exclusively rolling into Walmart starting in November. To celebrate the launch, Raskullz is holding a photo contest where parents can enter to win a new Raskullz bike for their little ones! Send in your best Raskullz snapshot for your chance to win. Submit photos to info (at) cpreme.com. Contest ends October 31st.

TV

  • Dora and Boots invite kids into a magical land of dragons, elves and fairies to help a unicorn king in the epic three-part event, Dora’s Enchanted Forest Adventures, beginning tomorrow on Nickelodeon. Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) guest stars as the voice of a greedy owl in the trilogy that kicks off with “Tale of the Unicorn King” on Monday, Oct. 17, 9-9:30 a.m. ET/PT. The adventure continues with “Secret of Atlantis,” on Monday, Nov. 7, 9-9:30 a.m. ET/PT, and culminates with the hour-long, primetime special, “Dora Saves King Unicornio,” on Sunday, Nov. 20, 8-9 p.m. ET/PT. Nickelodeon’s website (www.nickjr.com) will feature a brand-new interactive game and activities to complement the Dora’s Enchanted Forest Adventures premieres.
  • The sight of a cuddly baby or a cute puppy makes hearts melt, but which one is cuter? Find out in Animal Planet’s Puppies vs. Babies. AnimalPlanet.com is holding a casting call now for the cutest puppy and baby in America to compete in a head-to-head showdown. Submit your cute photo now and you could win $5,000! And tune in for the new series, Puppies vs. Babies, Saturdays at 10 PM ET/PT.

TRAVEL

CONTESTS & PROMOTIONS

  • Help Conair spread the hair love by helping the Conair Corp. Facebook page reach the 50,000 fan milestone. When it does, the brand will announce their next giveaway for 50 winners! “LIKE” Conair at www.facebook.com/conairhair.
  • I’m not usually a fan of voting contests, but this one sounds fun. Back by popular demand from parents and teachers, Del Monte Fresh Produce, N.A., Inc. is holding its second annual online contest “Teacher Monday: Cash for Classrooms” at www.fruits.com. The promotion encourages kindergarten thru 12th grade school teachers across North America to incorporate healthy eating and living messages into classroom activities. During six weeks this fall, 60 teachers will win cash to purchase school supplies and fresh fruit. Ten schools will also win a salad bar for their school. Many more winners will get a Del Monte Fresh Field Day event for their school in which the entire student body will enjoy a day of Del Monte fresh fruit, games and fun activities. To be eligible to win, teachers must register for “Teacher Monday: Cash for Classrooms” online contest at www.fruits.com then encourage all their fans to vote for them online.
  • How does a free trip to fabulous Las Vegas sound? Entering is as easy as scoring free drinks at the casino – all you need to do is promise not to over share your craziest adventures on the Strip! Head to the “Know the Code, Protect the Moment” microsite to take the oath for your chance to win… but remember, “What Happens Here, Stays Here!”

ADD YOUR LINK

Your favorite post of the week, a giveaway… anything you want to share. Just include a short description and make sure the URL links directly to the post itself, or your submission will be deleted.

Have a great week!

]]> http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-101611/feed/ 0 What’s buzzing this week? 10/2/11 http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-10211/ http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-10211/#comments Mon, 03 Oct 2011 01:53:54 +0000 Mariana http://thedomesticbuzz.com/?p=14766

I should’ve told you about this sooner, but Totsy has a really great Chuggington sale going on right now. From Chuggington apparel, to games, books, DVDs, and, of course, lots of toys, you’ll surely find something your little Chuggers would honk their horns for! ;) My favorite items are those adorable costumes pictured below, just in time for Halloween! Some of the stuff is over 50% off, so don’t miss it. The sale ends Monday morning at 8am EST, though, so hurry!

Photobucket

Took a break from ‘buzzing’ the past couple of weekends. First, it was my daughter’s birthday… and last week? I can’t remember. These roundups take time to put together, ya know! The list is a little bare this week, so if you have anything you’d like to share, add your links at the bottom of the page! You can always email me as well, and I can include it in next week’s post.

BLOG WORTH READING

BLOGGING

CRAFTS

FOOD

GOOD CAUSE

  • Did you know that 1 out of every 2 Latinos in America live in areas that frequently violate air pollution standards? Then you must be as outraged as we are that President Obama has bowed to polluter pressure and has ordered the EPA to roll back life-saving smog standards in order to “create jobs.”  The roll back of smog standards threatens not only our clean energy future but the health of our community. The impact of this decision cannot be underestimated. We need the clean energy future the President promised us and this isn’t it. Please sign NRDC’s innovative new 1-click Facebook petition urging the President to get back on track for a healthy economy that’s both good for jobs and the environment. Simply sign on with only one click.

PHOTOGRAPHY

HEALTH & BEAUTY

  • This fun, easy DIY at-home pumpkin mask is featured in this month’s issue of Good Housekeeping magazine (October 2011, on-stands now!). Created by beauty guru and parenting expert Erika Katz (www.bondingoverbeauty.com), this mask is full of exfoliating enzymes that brighten the skin so it won’t look too “scary” this fall season. Why: Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A, which is very healing to the skin and is essential to maintain and repair skin tissue. It also helps reduce lines and wrinkles. Honey is a humectant. The cream moisturizes and helps flaky skin.

Pumpkin Face Mask

  • 2 tsp canned pureed pumpkin
  • 1/2 tsp honey
  • 1/4 tsp heavy whipping cream

Mix all ingredients and apply to face. Leave on for 10 min and rinse.

TOYS

TV

  • “Handy Manny Great Garage Rescue” premieres Monday afternoon – October 3rd – at 1pm ET/PT on Disney Junior. In this special 1-hour episode, Manny and the tools travel to Concrete Falls to help Manny’s brother, Rubén save the family’s auto repair shop before Mayor Johnson tears it down. Ed O’Neill and Freddy Rodriguez guest star as Mayor Johnson and Manny’s brother, Rubén (respectively). George Takei and Harold Perrineau also guest star as residents of Concrete Falls.
  • Pocoyo – the beloved Saturday morning cartoon – has his own YouTube Channel! Youtube.com/pocoyo. It’s my daughter’s new fave. Both in English and Spanish.

VIDEO

  • Mexico: The Royal Tour. I just watched this on PBS over the weekend. It’s a tour of Mexico with President Felipe Calderón. You’ll follow along as he goes whale watching in Baja; rappelling in the Cave of Swallows in San Luis Potosi; investigating the pyramids of Chichen Itza, Calakmul and Teotihuacan; exploring the ruins of Palenque, a Maya city-state in southern Mexico, and more. It’s really interesting. I believe it will be re-run again later this month, so check your local listings. Watch the official trailer:

CONTESTS & PROMOTIONS

  • Call for entries for the 15th Annual Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper Contest 2011 is now open. They’re looking for gift-wrapping gurus to compete for the $10,000 grand prize. How to enter: Go to www.MostGiftedWrapper.com and tell us why you or someone you know is a gift-wrapping guru and share their best gift-wrapping tip. Deadline to Enter: Monday, October 3, 2011.
  • California Black Ripe Olives have teamed up with Relish Magazine for an exclusive “Mad About Olives” recipe contest, where one lucky olive lover will win a fabulous trip to Napa and a once-in-a-lifetime two-day culinary boot camp at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America at Greystone located in the heart of the beautiful Napa Valley. Recipes will be accepted on the Relish website through Oct. 31, 2011 and will be judged by celebrity chef Claire Robinson, Relish Editor Jill Melton, and Denise Junqueiro of the California Olive Committee.

ADD YOUR LINK

Your favorite post of the week, a giveaway… anything you want to share. Just include a short description and make sure the URL links directly to the post itself, or your submission will be deleted.

Have a great week!

]]> http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-10211/feed/ 1 What’s buzzing this week? 9/11/11 http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-91111/ http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-91111/#comments Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:27:23 +0000 Mariana http://thedomesticbuzz.com/?p=14600

Everyone always talks about where they were on 9/11. I’m not sure what the point is, honestly, unless you were actually there, but I guess it’s a day you will always remember regardless. What was I doing on September 12th? I have no idea. But September 11th is clear in my mind.

I was a bartender at a Chili’s which has since closed. Newly 21, I had only been at it for a few months, so I was stuck with the slow M-T-W morning shifts. My day started at 9:30am, even though we didn’t open until 11, because of all the opening duties required. I usually got there around 9am because I liked to take my time setting up. As soon as I walked in the doors, my manager yelled from across the restaurant, “A plane JUST crashed into the World Trade Center!” He always had the tiny TV on in his office, and I ran over to see what was going on. I literally stood there for a second, watching the smoke engulf the building, when the next plane hit. I got chills and probably yelled something out. Or maybe I tried to, and nothing came out of my mouth. I couldn’t believe it. Was I awake or still in bed, dreaming? I walked to the bar, turned on the TV there, and attempted to start slicing fruit, unable to take my eyes off the news coverage. When there was a rumor that something had it the Pentagon, I was numb. It was all so unreal. One of my co-workers could see the smoke just a few blocks from the restaurant, just down Arlington Blvd, so we knew it was true. The manager from the Chili’s in Crystal City called to tell us he actually saw the plane flying down low towards the Pentagon, followed by an incredibly loud explosion. How many more planes were there? I wondered. We opened the restaurant, and almost immediately people started trickling in. What was usually a slow day ended up being one of the busiest shifts I ever worked. I remember two men in uniform sitting at the bar. I quickly found out that were actually working at the Pentagon that morning. They ordered beer after beer, their eyes glued to the TV, trying to make sense of it all. They sat their for hours, almost afraid to go home. One lady talked to me about how she couldn’t reach her boyfriend in New York. Another, how she had just visited New York City last week. A tourist couple that was supposed to fly home the next morning, was now terrified to get on a plane. While I don’t remember their faces, I remember all those conversations vividly.

The following is a roundup of great stuff I’ve found while browsing the Internet over the past week. Add your own links at the bottom of the page!

APPS

  • The Smurfs & Co game on Facebook has more than 10 million monthly active users (MAU). Developed by Ubisoft Chengdu, The Smurfs & Co is a social network game based on the world renowned comic book brand that allows anyone to play as a Smurf in the quest to build wondrous towns and uncover special ingredients that Papa Smurf needs to create a magic potion to erase Gargamel’s memory. The game has reached more than 10 million MAU thanks to its enjoyable gameplay, iconic characters and appeal among all ages. New game features and special in-game contests are being added regularly to The Smurfs & Co, including a full screen option and a user-generated screenshot contest with prizes in several different categories. To play The Smurfs & Co, please visit: http://www.facebook.com/thesmurfsco.
  • Smilebox, an online photo/video sharing tool and app – is great for simple ways to manage and share all of the photos and videos of your recent vacation, kids’ first day at school and more. There are new design templates every week, new capabilities to add to your design (songs, videos and more) and a new iPhone app that just came out. Use Smilebox to send unique thank you notes, birth announcements, birthday cards and invitations online or print your own personalized greeting cards. Share photos and videos in slideshows using any of the 1,000 design templates or add one of the 2,000+ songs in the Smilebox library – you can also upload a favorite song from your iTunes account to personalize a Smilebox creation. The new Smilebox app includes a “Wrap-Up” feature which sends a collage of photos from the day, taken from your phone. The iPhone app automatically creates then emails collage to you so you don’t have to lift a finger! Great for sharing day after a special celebration such as a birthday party or shower. Visit Smilebox.com for more information, and find the iPhone app on iTunes: Smilebox

BLOGGING

COOL WEBSITE

  • Updater gives its users control over who can access and use their postal address, stops unwanted paper mail and simplifies the change of address process for the 40 million Americans who move each year. Updater offers two services: Address Change and Address Privacy. With Address Change, Updater files an official Change of Address Form, on behalf of its users, with the United States Postal Service and directly updates the records of every business, educational institution and other organization that its users select. With Address Privacy, Updater acts as an authorized agent to remove users’ postal addresses from direct marketing lists and enables a customized “spam filter” for unwanted paper mail. Through these services, Updater empowers its users to save time, stop unwanted mail, reduce identity theft and help the environment. To learn more, check out Updater’s brief video at http://www.youtube.com/updateronline. To sign up, visit www.updater.com.

EVENTS

  • The Hot Chocolate 15K/5K racing series sounds so fun! (As fun as running a race can be, anyway!) The goodie bag sounds awesome, and there’s an amazing post-race party with chocolate fondue and hot chocolate from Ghirardelli. Races are happening in Chicago, DC, Dallas, San Diego, San Francisco, and Denver – so maybe there’s one near you. More info at www.hotchocolate15k.com.

DIET & FITNESS

FOOD

  • I looooove zucchini bread! Click over for a recipe from my friend Cathy at CathyHerard.com.
  • Getting the Best From Your Farm Market. Cookerati.
  • “FoodPop is like Facebook for the food world” says Saveur’s Editor-in-Chief James Oseland – revolutionizing the way people share food. FoodPop is about to rock the food world and they want you to come along by giving me 50 early invites to share with friends and readers to join the FoodPop(ulation) where you’ll have the ability to interact with other food loving moms, share tips, discuss children’s eating habits, allergies and much more. Use code: WithNoHands. The first 50 to visit FoodPop.com will gain access. Enjoy FoodPop before everyone else takes a bite!

GOOD CAUSE

  • TV celebrity and new mom Bethenny Frankel, Clorox and CHF – a non-profit organization committed to providing health care to the nation’s most medically underserved children and their families – are teaming up to bring ongoing care to disadvantaged kids through the “Check-in for Checkups” program. How can you help? It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3. First, perform a health habit that makes you feel good, whether it’s walking your dog or eating a salad for lunch. Second, check-in your healthy habit at www.checkinsforcheckups.com or #checkinforcheckups on Twitter. Third, trigger a donation of 10 cents, up to one million check-ins, from Clorox to Children’s Health Fund (CHF), helping support their goal of providing half a million health care visits across the country.

PHOTOGRAPHY

HEALTH

  • UnitedHealthcare and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, are launching two child health initiatives: A is for Asthma, an awareness program, and Lead Away!, a lead-poisoning prevention program. These newly updated programs are designed to help children and their families learn about these health issues and promote positive healthy habits. A is for Asthma is a bilingual education initiative that helps increase families’ understanding and awareness of childhood asthma. The program provides simple tips and supporting resources for children and their families to recognize asthma triggers and manage asthma symptoms. Program materials, including videos, activity sheets and a newsletter that feature Sesame Street characters such as Grover and Big Bird, are available in English and Spanish at sesamestreet.org/asthma. Lead Away! is a bilingual education initiative that helps increase families’ understanding and awareness about the health risks of lead. The program teaches parents and children effective strategies to avoid lead exposure through simple tips and activities that can be easily incorporated into everyday routines. Program materials, including videos, activity sheets and a newsletter that feature Sesame Street characters such as Bert and Ernie, are available in English and Spanish at sesamestreet.org/lead.
  • Giant Food of Landover, Md. is proud to announce that all of its 160 in-store pharmacies will be offering flu shots as part of its Heath & Wellness initiative. For over 20 years the program has looked to provide convenient and efficient flu prevention measures for Giant customers throughout Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and Washington D.C. Vaccinations will be administered by trusted in-store pharmacists during pharmacy hours for $30. No appointment is necessary. Pharmacists will hold in-store flu clinics, and are available for on-site workplace flu clinics as well. A free coupon book worth over $20 in savings will be given to those that receive a shot at any Giant pharmacy. Customers interested in receiving immunizations at their local Giant can talk to their pharmacist, visit Giant’s website at www.GiantFood.com for clinic schedules, or obtain additional information by calling (888) 469-4426 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

TECHNOLOGY

  • KinectEDucation is a community-driven resource for developers, teachers, students, enthusiasts, and any other education stakeholder to promote the use of Kinect applications – open source, freeware, and commercial – in classrooms. Teacher Johnny Kissko is currently using Kinect in his classroom, using the FAAST and Kodu toolkits to get the sensors working on laptops. Kissko’s plan is to have all pupils regularly interacting with content on a daily basis, rather than function passively in the classroom. Via Kinectaku.
  • With school back in session across the country and the flurry of purchases that often entails, many parents may be in the market for a cell phone for their teenager. However, the age that children are getting their first cell phones is trending earlier in recent years, with many pre-teens entering the cell phone market even before high school. Helping parents navigate the complex world of a tween’s first cell phone is the goal of a new consumer guide released by the National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s pioneering consumer organization. The guide is available online at www.nclnet.org/technology. It provides a range of tips to help parents choose between contract-based and prepaid services, manage data and texting costs, and set “rules of the road” for safe and smart tween phone use. NCL’s new guide is focused on helping tweens’ parents with easy-to-use tips that help them pre-plan for the shopping experience, set expectations with a tween before a phone is purchased, narrow down their cell phone choices, and manage their tweens’ usage once the phone is purchased. Key tips include:
    • Texting is one of the biggest cost tweens’ parents should account for. Consider a larger bucket of texts (or unlimited texts) to avoid costly pay-as-you-go texting rates.
    • However, consider limiting the tween’s allotment of text messages if you are concerned about inappropriate texting. Recent research suggests that limiting texts messages relates to lower levels of inappropriate or dangerous texting behavior.
    • Take your tween with you when shopping so they can test different phones, but consider buying online to take advantage of online-only deals.
    • Make sure to set a monthly cell phone budget, and discuss acceptable use of the phone so that your tween knows who they can and can’t call or text.

TOYS

  • Advice on Toy Storage Solutions. Time to Play.
  • Build-A-Bear Workshop continues its partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) with their latest furry friend, WWF Fennec Fox ($25). Make-your-own WWF Fennec Fox is currently available at Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and buildabear.com. Build-A-Bear Workshop donates one dollar from the sale of each WWF Fennec Fox to the World Wildlife Fund to protect endangered animals and their habitats. Learn more at worldwildlife.org.

TV

  • We’re “wagging our tails” because Super WHY, the award-winning preschool property that helps kids learn the fundamentals of reading through interactive storybook adventures, is back in action this fall with FIVE all-new episodes – and introducing a brand-new super reader named Woofster with Dictionary Power! “Super WHY and Woofster Finds a Home” will premiere on PBS KIDS September 12 (be sure to check your local listings!). In celebration, the literary experts from Out of the Blue have created a fun and educational tip sheet chock-full of literacy-powered ideas inspired by Woofster’s new character! Log on to pbskids.org/superwhy for all-new “super” useful and fun online content starring Woofster and the Super WHY gang, including games, music videos, collectible prize cards and activities to help parents engage kids in reading! Help spark a love of reading in your child with these fun tips inspired by Super Why’s new pal Woofster:
    • Check it out! Visit the library or go online with kids to discover more about their favorite furry friends. This will foster an interest in both reading and animals!
    • Create a book! Help your child write and illustrate their very own storybook featuring a doggy character like Woofster.
    • Visit the zoo! Read all the signs together as you encounter the many different animals.
    • Send a postcard! While you’re at the zoo or your local aquarium or wildlife park, pick out some animal-themed postcards and help your child write special messages to friends and family.
    • Look it up! Flip through the pages of a children’s dictionary with preschoolers to find and read animal-related words.
  • Would you like to meet Oprah? Sign up for the online companion class to Oprah’s Lifeclass, premiering October 10 on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, and you will be entered for a chance to meet Oprah in person in Atlanta for a day of learning, inspiration and fun. On Oprah’s Lifeclass, Oprah reaches back through the 25-year history of The Oprah Winfrey Show to share the lessons that matter most to her – how to reach your life’s potential, break through barriers, let go of anger, use joy to fuel your life and become all that you are meant to be. The first million people to sign up for the online class will be eligible to receive a limited edition of the Oprah’s Lifeclass Journal and will be entered to be one of 15 people who will meet Oprah in person at the O You! event hosted by O, The Oprah Magazine and enjoy an all-expense paid trip to Atlanta.
  • “My Little Pony Friendship is Magic,” the animated TV series with an ultra “buzz factor” among audiences of all ages, returns for its second-season premiere Saturday, September 17 (9 a.m. ET) on The Hub TV Network, a destination for kids and their families. The much-talked-about Hub Original Series follows the studious young unicorn Twilight Sparkle as she and her five pony friends living in the fairytale village of Ponyville teach one another about the magic of friendship during their many adventures in the kingdom of Equestria.
  • Also launching its second season with new episodes is the pre-school series “The Adventures of Chuck & Friends” based on the popular TONKA CHUCK & FRIENDS brand. Premiering on The Hub Monday, September 12 (11:00 a.m. ET), the Hasbro Studios produced series features the CHUCK character, the adventurous pint-sized truck who’s running on a full tank of enthusiasm. The CHUCK character goes on larger-than-life adventures with his friends and finds creative methods for playing them out. To find the channel in your area, please visit www.hubworld.com and check the Channel Locator at the top of the page.

TIS THE SEASON- Back to School

  • On October 6, millions of people across the globe will read the same book, Llama Llama Red Pajama, as part of Jumpstart’s annual Read for the Record Day. The simple act of reading with a child on this one day translates into year-long educational support for preschool children from low-income communities, many of whom grow up in homes without a single book. For the past five years, Jumpstart, a national education organization, has hosted this global event, bringing together celebrities like Bill Cosby, Justin Bieber, Vince Vaughn, Patti LaBelle, Matt Lauer, representatives on Capitol Hill, elected officials, parents, teachers, children and volunteers to help bridge America’s achievement gap. This year, they need your help to set a new world record of 2.1 million readers. The reality is that 1 in 3 children in the U.S. begins kindergarten behind, and most will never catch up. In fact, in states like California, for every child who isn’t reading on the 4th grade level when tested, budget is planned for a jail cell. Before they even enter school, children need to be equipped with fundamental literacy skills and taking the time to read with your kids is an easy way to ensure they’re prepared. By pledging to read now at www.readfortherecord.org, you will be entered to win a $77 gift card to 77Kids by American Eagle and a copy of Llama Llama Red Pajama signed by the author, Anna Dewdney. If you don’t own the book, it is being offered FREE online at www.wegivebooks.org.
  • Students improve spelling and handwriting with interactive games. Spelling Connections Online, Zaner-Bloser’s free website with interactive games for students in Grades 1-8, is designed to enhance children’s vocabulary, develop their proofreading abilities, and improve their speed in spelling. Activities from word sorting to sentence completion develop successful spellers who are proven to be better readers, writers, and test takers. Zaner-Bloser offers a choice of two fun resources that lead to better literacy through improved handwriting skills. An unlimited free trial version of ZB FontsOnline Plus provides customizable practice page templates for children to practice spelling, vocabulary, and handwriting. Adults and children can access this free online application at www.zaner-bloser.com/summer. For families on the go, Zaner-Bloser’s Handwriting Apps for iPhone®, iPad®, and iPod touch® may also cure some of that summer boredom while keeping children’s handwriting skills fresh. Available apps include Manuscript (or Print) handwriting, Cursive handwriting, and both Print and Cursive handwriting in Spanish. All are available now on the App Store.
  • These days, it’s not enough to learn reading, writing and arithmetic, as 1 out of 4 kids are bullied in person and 43% have been bullied while online. Now that schools are mandated to address this alarming epidemic, Tommy Walser, a 23 year-old lNew York University Law School student from Florida, is leading the charge. He is the founder of The Bullying Academy (www.bullyingacademy.com), a free online resource quickly becoming the leading web-based, interactive program designed to help parents, students and teachers deal with the dangers associated with bullying and cyberbullying. The Bullying Academy provides a professionally developed curriculum and grade appropriate content that engages students through quizzes and games. It also provides information specifically developed for educators and parents. Since it is web-based, it provides immediate access from any computer, and if students score at least 40%, they are rewarded with a diploma. Furthermore, schools are provided with data reports for each student that identifies how well he/she scored in specific categories. Data reports are also available by class, school or district and proof of compliance with statutory requirements for bullying prevention programs are also provided.

VIDEO

  • On this, the tenth anniversary of 9/11, it is important to remember how to communicate with your children about traumatic events they are exposed to and will eventually learn about. Jacob Ham, Ph.D., an expert in the treatment of child traumatic stress, directs the program for Healing Emotions and Achieving Resilience to Traumatic Stress at Beth Israel Medical Center and St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center in NYC. Dr. Ham provides support services to children who have been exposed to all different types of trauma. He created a video with information on how to talk to your kids about the 9/11 anniversary for the American Mental Health Association, which can be helpful in all traumatic situations.

CONTESTS & PROMOTIONS

  • This September, Libby’s Fruits and Vegetables will be celebrating ‘Get Back to the Table Month’ by encouraging families across America to pledge to reunite with their loved ones and offering a chance for one lucky family to win a reunion for up to 10 family members . The winning family will receive travel and hotel accommodations to gather for a reunion dinner, total prize valued at $20,000. To enter, families can submit a family photo and a short caption on the Family Reunion Contest tab at the Libby’s Table Facebook page. Contest runs through Friday, September 23, at 11:59 a.m.
  • THQ recently announced the “uDraw Your City” art contest, asking kids to create a work of art that expresses what their city means to them. From now to Oct. 31, uDraw is inviting kids between 6 and 17 years old to draw a picture that represents what their hometown or home city means to them, for a chance to win a prize package worth more than $25,000. To enter, please visit www.WorldofuDraw.com/uDrawYourCity.
  • AppleCore just launched a Cord Chaos Contest for those who wrestle with tangled cords. Snap a photo of your cord chaos and enter to win $100! For more information, visit the AppleCore Facebook wall.

ADD YOUR LINK

Your favorite post of the week, a giveaway… anything you want to share. Just include a short description and make sure the URL links directly to the post itself, or your submission will be deleted.

Have a great week!

]]> http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-91111/feed/ 1 What’s buzzing this week? 9/4/11 (linky!) http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-9411-linky/ http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-9411-linky/#comments Mon, 05 Sep 2011 02:52:03 +0000 Mariana http://thedomesticbuzz.com/?p=14483

I can’t believe it’s already September. Whoa! My daughter starts school this week. First grade. Where does the time go?

Below is a roundup of great stuff I’ve found while browsing the Internet over the past week, as well as links to your giveaways! Scroll down to add your links at the bottom of the page!

BLOGS WORTH READING

  • Lego Birthday Party. Zakka Life is one of my favorite craft blogs. Back in July this post caught my eye. So cool! If only my girls were Lego crazy!
  • Optical illusion tattoos. I found these oddly fascinating. You could spend hours looking through the hundreds of illusions on the Mighty Optical Illusions blog! I just saw they developed a Daily Optical Illusion app. Off to download that now…

APPS

  • Disney Digital Book apps. In honor of the Labor Day weekend and back-to-school season, Disney Publishing has launched a Back-to-School Labor Day Sale and is offering 7 of its premium apps for kids for as low as $1.99! The sale runs until 11:59PM (PST) Monday, 9/5!  Includes such apps such as Toy Story 3 Read-Along, Cars 2 Storybook Deluxe, and Princess and the Frog Read-Along. Find the full list of apps on sale along with pricing HERE.

BLOGGING

COOL WEBSITE

  • It’s Almost. This countdown tool is cool in that it has its own URL so you can share it with friends or post to Facebook and Twitter… and go back to it until time is up. I created one for Maya’s 7th birthday and bookmarked it in her browser so she stops asking me every 5 minutes, “How many days til my birthday?” Thanks, Very Short List.

CRAFTS

EVENTS

  • Free admission to the Newseum. Live in or near Washington, DC? The Newseum, in honor of the anniversary of September 11th, will waive its admission price on Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 11. This will be the first time since the Newseum’s grand opening in 2008 that admission has been free to the entire public. Tickets are available at newseum.org or at the Newseum the day of your visit. Thanks for the tip, Jessica! A Parent in Silver Spring.

FOOD

PHOTOGRAPHY

SAFETY

  • Love Is Not Abuse iPhone app

Many parents feel confident that they can spot the signs of dating abuse, but studies have shown that more than half of all parents do not recognize the warning signs. And these days, parents are talking far less to their kids about dating abuse than any other risky behavior like drug or alcohol use.

To help get the conversation started, Liz Claiborne Inc.’s teen dating violence prevention initiative, Love Is Not Abuse, has launched an iPhone app designed to educate parents on everything they need to know about teen dating abuse – how to spot the warning signs, get help, and more importantly, start conversations with their children about dating before abuse can even begin – all in one easily accessible tool.

Check out the app preview video featuring Liz Claiborne Inc. Chief Creative Officer and co-host of Project Runway, Tim Gunn. The app is available for download FREE OF CHARGE in the iTunes App Store.

HEALTH

TECHNOLOGY

TV (sort of…)

TIS THE SEASON- Back to School

CONTESTS & PROMOTIONS

  • Calling parent inventors! Jarden Consumer Solutions – best know for such adult-beloved brands as the Crock-Pot and Mr. Coffee makers – wants to find out from parent inventors just how they get their children excited during the breakfast, lunch or dinner hour. Jarden wants to hear about those top ideas that can potentially become a must-have product among the school yard. For the idea that is selected for licensing and development, the inventor will receive $2,500 as an advance on 20 years percentage of sales or buyout. Jarden can choose as many ideas as they like to bring to market. Edison Nation offers a safe and secure platform for inventors and it’s just $25 to submit an idea (simply to cover our overhead!). You can find more detailed information about this online search for new ideas at www.edisonnation.com/jarden.
  • Win a Southwest Airlines Vacation! Experience the excitement of Universal Orlando Resort! You’ll swing high above the city streets with Spider-Man, save the day with Shrek, and explore the magic and excitement of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You’ll fly on Southwest Airlines to Orlando, and stay at an onsite Loews hotel, where you’ll enjoy two amazing theme parks, nonstop nightlife, and more. For complete details, and to enter this sweepstakes, visit: southwestvacations.com/universalorlando. Enter between now and September 15, 2011.
  • Little People Animal Sounds Contest. Fisher-Price is inviting you to enter into this contest with help from celebrity Zoologist and children’s television show host, Jarod Miller! This contest calls on parents to submit a video of their child demonstrating his or her best roar, grrrr or squawk (oh my!) for the chance to win a $10,000 cash prize and a trip to Fisher-Price headquarters in East Aurora, N.Y. for a special photo shoot! The Animal Sounds contest runs through 11:59 p.m. ET on Nov. 30, 2011. For more information and complete contest rules, visit www.animalsounds.fisher-price.com.

ADD YOUR LINK

Your favorite post of the week, a giveaway… anything you want to share. Just include a short description and make sure the URL links directly to the post itself, or your submission will be deleted.

Have a great week!

]]> http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-9411-linky/feed/ 2 What’s buzzing this week? 8/28/11 http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-82811/ http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-82811/#comments Mon, 29 Aug 2011 01:10:44 +0000 Mariana http://thedomesticbuzz.com/?p=14293

An earthquake and a hurricane in the same week. Whoa. But we survived, and I’m assuming, if you’re reading this, that you did, too! ;) Here’s a roundup of great stuff I’ve found while browsing the Internet over the past week, as well as links to your giveaways! Add your links at the bottom of the page.

COOL WEBSITE

  • HealthyWage (www.HealthyWage.com) – Make money losing weight! This is a website that provides cash incentives, social and expert-based support, tools and resources, and goal-setting and tracking technologies to address our nation’s obesity epidemic and improve America’s collective health. Research shows that even small cash rewards triple the effectiveness of weight-loss programs, and this program builds upon that.

GOOD CAUSE

  • The Eye Pledge – As a parent, you wouldn’t dream of missing your child’s annual check up, but did you know that their annual eye exams are just as important? Eye health plays a critical role in your child’s ability to learn, play and develop. And, unfortunately, 1 in 4 students across the country has a visual impairment problem, many of which have gone undiagnosed. To bring attention to the importance of eye health, VSP Vision Care has pledged to donate up to 50,000 eye exams worth more than $19 million dollars! To participate, visit www.SeeMuchMore.com and click on the Eye Pledge, then: 1) Pledge to take care of your own eyes. 2) Select a Boys & Girls Club that you wish to receive a free eye exam. 3) Share the pledge with your friends. For every pledge, VSP will donate an eye exam and brand new pair of glasses to a Boys & Girls Club member on your behalf!

SAFETY

  • SecuraChild (www.securachild.com) – When 3-year-old Breeann Rodriguez went missing on August 6th, an Amber Alert was not issued. While the system can be essential to assisting authorities in locating missing children, unless certain criteria, such as risk of serious bodily injury or death, are met when a child disappears an alert cannot be issued to preserve the effectiveness of the system. For parents and families frantically trying to locate a child this is an extremely frustrating situation, especially when the child is later found deceased as in the case of Breeann Rodriguez. A father in California has created a new service to fill the gap left by Amber Alerts- SecuraChild. This free website allows parents to create profiles and alerts when their child goes missing. That information is then sent out via various social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter and texted to other members of the SecuraChild network so thousands of eyes can be looking for the child within minutes.
  • Crib bumpers – Results of a new study have been released proving that traditional bumper pads severely block airflow in cribs resulting in higher CO2 levels, which can cause short term chronic effects on babies, such as gasping spells, headache, fatigue, irritability and abnormal respiration. High CO2 levels are also a known factor that leads to an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Traditional bumper pads are currently under investigation by the CPSC and Illinois and Maryland are considering bans on the sale of the product.

HEALTH

  • Hello Period! Some girls get their period as young as 8. Have you had the talk? Research shows that four out of five moms feel only somewhat or not at all prepared to talk to their daughter about her changing body and 1 in 3 young girls have no idea what’s happening when they get their first period. Talking to tween girls about growing up – from her body to boys— is never easy, but is especially important now due to an earlier onset of puberty than previous years. This website – www.Kotex.com/Tween – helps you prepare.

TECHNOLOGY

TOYS

  • PBS KIDS toys! Launched earlier this summer, the PBS KIDS toy line of pre-school toys is designed to extend off-screen learning. Consisting of more than 20 individual wooden toys for preschoolers (ages 3+) across key toy categories, they’re available exclusively online at PBSKIDSshop.com, until early fall, when they will become available at additional online and in-store retailers as well.

TV

  • The Story of September 11, 2001 – Most kids today don’t have first-hand recollections of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, because they were too young, or weren’t born yet. For many of them, there is confusion about what happened, and why. As the 10th anniversary of the attacks approaches, Nick News with Linda Ellerbee will give kids their own forum to talk about the events of that day, address some of their misconceptions and answer their questions, in What Happened?: The Story of September 11, 2001, premiering Thursday, Sept. 1, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Nickelodeon. The special will air commercial-free.
  • Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero – As we approach the 10th anniversary of September 11, that fateful day that impacted all of us, Discovery Channel and Science are looking forward with Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero. Executive produced by Steven Spielberg, Rising celebrates the men and women who are driven by a single purpose – re-imagining and rebuilding the former site of the World Trade Center’s twin towers. Tune in to Discovery Channel September 1 at 8 PM ET/PT to meet the people leading the rebirth of Lower Manhattan, presented commercial-free, and be inspired!

TIS THE SEASON- Back to School

  • Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy – Each summer, 200 elementary school teachers are selected to attend this academy, by applying through SendMyTeacher.com. Parents and students can nominate a teacher in their lives; the teacher receives an e-card letting them know they’ve been nominated to apply for the Academy. Formed through a partnership with PGA golfer Phil Mickelson, his wife Amy, and ExxonMobil, the week-long, all-expense paid professional development program equips teachers with the tools they need to inspire their students in math and science. Nominate your favorite teachers! The application deadline is October 31… an easy, yet meaningful way for parents (and kids!) to let the teachers in their lives know they are appreciated and start the school year off on the right foot.
  • TLC’s Parentables – From tips for quick and healthy lunches to how to help your kids conquer those back-to-school jitters, Parentables’ Back-to-School Guide has you covered, including:
  • Green School Makeover - In partnership with Pureology, Global Green USA recently launched a Green School Makeover Competition. One grand prize winner will get $65K to renovate their school – plus an additional $65K worth of technical assistance. 4 runner-up schools will get $2,500 to use towards green school renovations. This is a great opportunity for schools struggling with budget shortfalls — it can help them build a healthier learning environment for their students while also saving money on energy use for years to come. The deadline to nominate your kids’ school is September 30, 2011.

VIDEO

Drive to End Hunger - It’s a little-known problem that 11% of older Americans are struggling to afford food, and Rachael Ray & EIF are working to make everyone aware of this crisis. “Many older Americans are trying to make ends meet by eating cheaper, less healthy foods or skipping meals altogether,” Rachael said. “The issue of hunger in America is very important to me. This is a problem we can solve if we all work together. But we have to start now.” What can you do to help? Donate time, money or food to local hunger relief organizations. For more information, visit www.DriveToEndHunger.org.

CONTESTS & PROMOTIONS

  • Discover What You Treasure sweepstakes – Disney and Verizon are giving fans a chance to win a special family trip to Walt Disney World Resort. Fans can enter by visiting Disney.com/DiscoverWhatYouTreasure by September 11, 2011. Disney and Verizon will send the grand prize winner and three family members on a five day vacation to Walt Disney World Resort. During their visit, the winner and their family will spend one special night at the Cinderella Castle Suite in the Magic Kingdom. They will also receive a new Verizon Wireless phone with the official Mobile Magic app.
  • Mommy Blogger Scholarship – Star Costumes has launched the first-ever Mommy Blogger Scholarship – a $500 scholarship for blogging moms to be used towards any accredited degree. Not every mom with a blog is in school; many might already have their degree, not to mention having their hands full raising a family and running their blog. But for those moms enrolled in school and training to expand their skillsets to help grow their websites, they’re hoping to provide some assistance. Find more information on The Star Costumes Mommy Blogger Scholarship here.
  • Totally KooKoo contest – Through September 12, Totally KooKoo is having a very special KooKoo Bird Sighting Photo Contest on Facebook! For a chance to win awesome prizes, simply upload a photo of a KooKoo Bird – or a KooKoo Bird creative original interpretation (a drawing, collage, picture, etc.) in the kookiest place possible! Who will win? You decide! Voting is open to the public so be sure to get your friends and family involved and check it out at Facebook/TotallyKooKoo! Grand Prize Winner will receive a $100 Toys“R”Us Gift Card and a Totally KooKoo prizepack and 2 runners-up will each get a $50 Toys“R”Us Gift Card!

ADD YOUR LINK

Your favorite post of the week, a giveaway… anything you want to share. Just include a short description and make sure the URL links directly to the post itself, or your submission will be deleted.

Have a great week!

]]> http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-82811/feed/ 1 What’s buzzing this week? 8/21/11 http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-82111/ http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-82111/#comments Mon, 22 Aug 2011 01:41:52 +0000 Mariana http://thedomesticbuzz.com/?p=14222


I’m bringing back the BUZZ!

A roundup of great stuff I’ve found while browsing the Internet over the past week, as well as links to your giveaways! Add your links at the bottom of the page!

Also, you’re going to be seeing some changes around here! You may have already noticed the homepage looks different. Going for a cleaner look. Beginning tomorrow, there will be a few new voices as well! I’ve put together a wonderful review team so that TDB has tons of fresh, new content.

COOL WEBSITE

EVENTS

  • Texas on Tour, a high-tech, interactive, mobile marketing exhibit is headed to the Minnesota State Fair this week, from August 25-28th, its last stop. Texas on Tour transports each visitor to unique outdoor Texas experiences that are highly entertaining, educational and personalized – such as a virtual reality kayaking trip through Texas waterways – uniquely showcasing the Lone Star State. Visitors to the exhibit can “picture themselves in Texas” and stroll along a Texas beach through the use of green screen technology. Daily performances from Texas musicians and entertainers will also be featured. Sounds cool (but I’m from Texas, so I may be a bit biased). For more information about Texas on Tour and all there is to see and experience in Texas, please visit http://www.traveltex.com and follow @texastourism and Facebook/TexasTourism.

GOOD CAUSE

  • International humanitarian relief & development NGO, Good Neighbors, launched a new Facebook campaign to feed hungry children in developing nations. With the collaboration of a generous donor who will donate 25 cents for every new Facebook “like” on Good Neighbors’ fan page, Good Neighbors hopes to feed 32,000 children in Haiti, Guatemala and Chad. In those nations, 25 U.S. cents can purchase one bowl of food.

SAFETY

  • The Food and Drug Administration announced earlier this summer that it was investigating the potential risks of spray sunscreens. Of particular concern is the possibility that people might accidentally breathe in the ingredients, a risk that’s greatest in children, who—as any parent knows—are more likely to squirm around when they’re being sprayed. Read Consumer Reports’s full advisory which includes these tips: Don’t use sprays on children, unless you have no other product available. In that case, spray the sunscreen onto your hands and rub it on. As with all sunscreens, be especially careful on the face, taking care to avoid the eyes and mouth.”

TECHNOLOGY

  • Apparently AppleCores are this year’s back to school must have accessory. These cable organizers are available in many colors to match your personal style, as well as three sizes: small, which is designed specifically for earbuds and thinner cables, medium, which is compact enough for portable electronic devices yet big enough to handle small home appliances, and large, which is specifically designed to handle household appliances with long or thick cables. AppleCores are available from many different locations- from The Container Store to Walgreens – will be available from Office Depot beginning in September (full list of locations) and are affordable at only $1.99, $2.99, and $4.99! For more information visit www.Apple-Cores.com. I haven’t been able to find one anywhere, but I’d love the small size for my unruly headphone cable.

TV

  • Dinosaur Big City, a one hour special, kicks off Dinosaur Train’s 2nd season tomorrow, August 22nd, on PBS Kids (check your local listings for times). The season will focus on exploring the outdoors and natural phenomena, and will feature “Big Dinosaur Week” and a special based on the fan favorite “Dinosaurs A to Z” song. Your kids would love these DT printables to continue the fun after the show is over!
  • Mad Men is now available to watch instantly on Netflix (for those of you that haven’t yet canceled the service). I’m debating watching it tonight, for the first time. Heard great things!

TIS THE SEASON- Back to School

  • Growums is now offering schools and clubs a terrific fundraiser opportunity that’s good for the soul and the bottomline. This year, hundreds of school across the country are taking a break from the standard candy and wrapping paper fundraisers with Growums Garden Kits, offering a fresh and healthy approach that benefits schools, our planet and the lives of today’s children. With the First Lady’s announcement of the new MyPlate food diagram as an important tool in the battle against childhood obesity, the specially-themed garden kits are a fun and simple learning tool that teach children and adults alike the joys and benefits of growing their own food. This fresh approach to fundraising offers a fun and lucrative opportunity to schools and clubs to raise funds for their organizations as they deliver important messaging to encourage healthy eating habits, a greener environment and stronger families. Participating organizations receive half of the proceeds of sales – each Growums garden kit sells for $10 — and an additional portion of all proceeds goes directly from Preferred Commerce, Inc. toward helping to feed needy children. For more information on the Growums fundraiser, visit fundraising.growums.com.

VIDEO

  • Learn how to save a life. Learn how to perform hands-only CPR.

CONTESTS & PROMOTIONS

  • Tampico Beverages, makers of high-quality juice drinks, has an online photo contest going on that ends TONIGHT! Entitled “Unique Like You,” entrants can submit photos of themselves, customize them with fun add-ons and bling and ask their friends to vote for their photos. Prizes include a top-of the line laptop computer, among other goodies! http://bit.ly/tampicocontest
  • Talenti Gelato e Sorbetto is also sponsoring a photo contest on their Facebook page, “Talenti’s Cutest Moments,” which goes through September 2nd. Talenti is asking its Facebook fans to post photos of themselves or their kids enjoying Talenti’s delicious gelato or sorbetto. All of the contest details can be found here.
  • Stride Rite is having a special sale through Tuesday, September 6 at participating Stride Rite retail and outlet stores and at striderite.com: Buy One Get One 50% Off all footwear from Stride Rite (Online Code: BTSBOGO).
  • Visit www.papercoterie.com and use the promo code BEGINANYWHERE to receive a $40 credit. Choose from a beautiful selection of elegantly designed books and journals; calendars in several formats, home décor items and gifts, recipe cards and more. There is no minimum purchase and visitors pay only standard shipping rates.

ADD YOUR LINK

Your favorite post of the week, a giveaway… anything you want to share. Just include a short description and make sure the URL links directly to the post itself, or your submission will be deleted.

Have a great week!

]]> http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-82111/feed/ 1 Happy New Year! http://thedomesticbuzz.com/happy-new-year-2/ http://thedomesticbuzz.com/happy-new-year-2/#comments Fri, 31 Dec 2010 03:45:42 +0000 Mariana http://thedomesticbuzz.com/?p=12714

I’ll be offline tomorrow.
Taking some time to celebrate the last day of the year with friends and family.
So I just wanted to go ahead and wish everyone a…

Happy New Year!

Here’s to a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2011!

Image above created at: http://www.makesweet.com/mixer/my-new-year-2011

]]> http://thedomesticbuzz.com/happy-new-year-2/feed/ 2 What’s buzzing this week? 11/28/10 http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-november-28th-2010/ http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-november-28th-2010/#comments Sun, 28 Nov 2010 23:57:26 +0000 Mariana http://thedomesticbuzz.com/?p=12430

As the Thanksgiving weekend comes to an end and the Christmas season officially begins, be prepared for tons of gift ideas here at The Domestic Buzz. Every single day, between now and December 25th, I’ll be reviewing toys, video games, and more, and as that time draws near, I’ll give you some suggestions for last-minute gifts as well. Subscribe if you aren’t already!
Here’s what’s buzzing on the web this week…

Blogs worth reading:

App of the week:

  • First off, learn all about How to Gift an App at Moms With Apps. Easy holiday gift! A small one, yes, but think of it as a virtual stocking stuffer.
  • The Velveteen Rabbit and The Night Before Christmas book apps, by Ruckus Media Group, are both free through tomorrow, 11/29! Available for the iPhone and iPad, they’re normally $3.99, so get ‘em now! My advice: If you think Santa may be bringing you a shiny new iPad this year, or upgrading your ancient cellphone to an iPhone, download iTunes NOW and take advantage of all the free apps! You can build an entire library of fun stuff before you even get your hands on your new device.

Contests and promotions:

  • I’ve been browsing Tech Savvy Mama’s Holiday Gift Guides, and she has some great gift ideas for kids of all ages! Giveaways, too. Check it out: http://bit.ly/dbEEu5.
  • Robyn is giving away Scrabble Flash at Robyn’s Online World! Contest ends 12/2.
  • Louise is giving away a $150 Visa gift card at MomStart. Contest ends 12/13.
  • Win $1000, a VIP trip for 4 to a concert, and a bunch of other prizes in Just Dance 2′s “Moove it. Groove it. Win it.” sweepstakes – gamestop.com/justdance2.

Cool Website

  • Web2PDF – www.web2pdfconvert.com – sometimes you just want to take the Internet with you! Convert a web page to PDF with this handy web tool.

Food

  • Jen shares a recipe for mouthwatering Oreo Truffles over at Hey, Y’all. Hey, YUM!
  • Another yummy dessert… Soapbox Mom posted a video of Alton Brown making an easy pumpkin mousse. Love him!

Photography

  • Yesterday I took some photos of a friend and her family so that she could use them for her holiday cards, after she admired some earlier photos I had taken. This got me to thinking that maybe it’s something I can do for a little extra $. I should probably take a photography class or two (and learn what all the buttons on my camera do first!) Read 14 Tips to be a Successful Freelance Photographer at dPS (Digital Photography School).

Technology:

  • Mashable has a pretty good holiday gift guide this year… lots of stuff I want on it, like the Nikon D3100 and the Xbox Kinect.

Tis the Season:

Add your link!

Your favorite post of the week, a giveaway… anything you want to share. Just include a short description and make sure the URL links directly to the post itself, or your submission will be deleted.

Have a great week!

]]> http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-november-28th-2010/feed/ 3 What’s buzzing this week? 11/7/10 http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-november-7th/ http://thedomesticbuzz.com/whats-buzzing-this-week-november-7th/#comments Mon, 08 Nov 2010 05:11:08 +0000 Mariana http://thedomesticbuzz.com/?p=12285

What’s buzzing on the web this week? This is a new feature here on The Domestic Buzz, replacing what was formerly the Weekly Roundup on Riding With No Hands.

What I’ve been reading this week:

App of the week:

  • The Good Housekeeping @Home app is the first iPhone application from Good Housekeeping magazine. The Stain Buster Tool is a great resource. Free.

Blogging:

Contests and promotions:

  • Cindy is giving away some cute plus-size fashions at Get Along Home. Giveaway ends 11/19.
  • My friend Carolyn got an extra iPad… and is giving it away over at The Art of Random Willy-Nillyness! BUT WAIT! Don’t run over there just yet. Keep reading. After all, the giveaway doesn’t end until December 8th. ;)
  • Spreadshirt (www.spreadshirt.com) is a leading online platform for creating, buying and selling “me-shirts”—stylish conversation starters that people love to wear. Spreadshirt is easy to use and lets shoppers design tees, aprons, blankets, hats, bathrobes and more. If you start designing now, you will save more this holiday season. From now – November 14th, shoppers will get FREE shipping on ALL orders. Use promo code: SHOPEARLY.
  • The Gourmoo Cookoff is a cooking competition featuring lactose-free milk. Enter, and you could have a shot at:
    · Being one of four finalists chosen to fly out to LA to compete in the Gourmoo Cookoff finals
    · Winning quality kitchen appliances and tools
    · Taking the title of Gourmoo Cookoff champion and winning a dream culinary vacation!
    Entering is easy. Create a 2-3 minute video of yourself preparing or presenting a recipe that features lactose-free cow’s milk and showcases your unique culinary passion and creativity. Submit your entry at www.moovision.com/gourmoocookoff. Encourage your friends, family, and readers to go vote for your entry or participate on their own. The entry and voting period ends 11/09/10, so don’t miss out!

Technology:

  • The Amazing Race for Nintendo Wii is available now! Yes, the same show that airs Sunday nights on CBS can now be played in the comfort of your living room. Developed by Ubisoft, the game retails for $29.99 and is rated “E” for Everyone.
  • Word Squared is a “massively multiplayer online word game” a lot like Scrabble. But bigger. You can join it anytime, just find an open spot.

Tis the Season:

  • Mom’s Best Naturals is hosting a food drive right now on its Facebook page. For every new “like” during the month of November, Mom’s Best will donate a serving of cereal to Second Harvest, in honor of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, Nov. 14-20. If you’re not already a fan of Mom’s Best on Facebook, I hope you’ll become one now!

Add YOUR link!

Your favorite post of the week, a giveaway… anything you want to share. Just include a short description and make sure the URL links directly to the post itself, or your submission will be deleted.

Have a great week!

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