Archive | March, 2009

I know you’re watching, or at least DVRing, the latest episode of The Real Housewives of NYC. I’m hooked, and I don’t know why. Every time I watch I feel poor, un-stylish and uncharitable! Come on, these hoity toity women spend their days going from one designer to the next and then their power lunches orchestrating the next charity event. It’s all good and all, but why not just put the $30K spent on the charity event gown and send it right to the charity, or even better, to me!

Anyway, as much as I can complain, I love it! I just learned that Alex, half of you hate her, while the other half aren’t sure, has landed a gig, thanks to her eternal 15 minutes of fame, as a blogger for The Huffington Post. I guess it’s worth a read! Check it out!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alex-mccord

The very lucky winner of the CozyCare Cape is: Meredith!
Meredith said…Aw, I do love the “Fizzy Citrus” cape.meredycat*xxx*com
Thank you to the many readers who participated in last week’s Smarty Pants Product of the Week!
Don’t forget to check out this week’s product, The Burpie Blocker!

Product
Burpie Blocker
Smarty Pants ReviewAnother shirt stained! How many times have you, or did you, find spit up making itself a home on a nice clean shirt!?!?! You try to remember the burp cloth. You put it on your shoulder, but then life continues. You lean over to get a pot out of the cabinet, the burp cloth falls off. You use a few minutes to quickly mop the bathroom, the burp cloth falls off. You’re making the bad, the burp cloth falls off. You forget and you hold your munchkin and next thing you know your new, or at least clean, shirt is now soiled and typically stained!
In comes the Burpie Blocker! This burp cloth is like no other. It has the superb absorbency of a top quality cloth with the HUGE added feature of …

One thing has certainly been consistent my entire life…PBS! It’s the one channel that has held true to its value of broadcasting good, wholesome television for everyone 0 – 100 years old! In my more than 30 years of regularly watching shows from Sesame Street to Antiques Roadshow, PBS has morphed into even more, especially for kids. We now have PBS Kids and PBS Sprout! We watch both regularly in this home! What about you? Do you watch Curious George, Dragon Tales or Super Why?

Now PBS Kids has morphed once more in providing a new inVideo feature on their very popular PBS Kids Go! (www.PBSKidsGo.org). The inVideo gaming feature now allows your munchkin to very easily toggle between viewing a show to playing an educational game. The format is very kid (and adult) friendly! Check it out and …

Below are the CPSC recalls I have received this past week. All information comes directly from the CPSC website. Please see the CPSC website for further, more detailed information on all recalled products mentioned below.Smiles Smarty Pants MamaName of product: Solar System Kits and DNA KitsHazard: The surface coating on the educational kit’s wires can contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.Description: This recall involves the “Solar System” and the “DNA” children’s educational craft kits sold under the FloraCraft and HYGLOSS brand names. The kits contain green coated wires that measure 14 ½ inches long and Styrofoam shapes. The following model numbers are included in this recall. The model number is located on the kit’s packaging.Craft Kits/Model NumberSolar System Kit/SS2003SS10159901SS2003PDNA Kit/DNA200359903DNA2003P Sold at: Wal-Mart, Michaels, Jo-Ann Stores, Hobby Lobby and …

Ok, so there is no excuse now Smart Mamas! I’ve learned of a new website, that even comes with an app for your Blackberry or iPhone! This site GoodFoodNearYou.com provides exactly that! By entering your address, it will provide the healthiest options (specific items off a menu) that are closest to home. Here’s what it found with my Miami location:
Now, I can certainly see that it is not 100% updated (there is a fantastic, rather new, salad shop that opened up less than a mile from home and I can’t imagine that there salads aren’t listed.) Although, I do like that yummy ice cream is listed as the 2nd, by distance, as healthy for me!I do have to say that GoodForNearYou.com, can provide ideas on restaurants and menu items that you may not have thought about when figuring out what’s out …

The winners of the Rock ‘N Learn Dancing with the Animals DVD are: Justicecw and lisagee!!!
44. justicecw said…My favorite are horses and my son’s are penguins. thanks for the chance, justicecw@X—–.com

14. lisagee said…Rabbit, cat & horse at my place!

Congratulations to you both!!

Be sure to read all about this week’s Smarty Pants Product of the Week – CozyCareCape! It’s just what a new mommy needs!

ProductCozyCare Cape

Smarty Pants ReviewWow, it’s like the mommy behind the creation of CozyCare Cape heard my moans and groans! CozyCare Cape puts the need of a soft bath towel with the desire of a mommy being hands free and dry during her munchkin’s bath time! The cape is worn over head with a waterproof liner behind the center area. When it’s time to get the munchkin, baby or bigger, out of the bath, the CozyCare Cape allows you to have your hands out and available, rather than gripping onto the baby’s towel while carefully managing to get him/her out of the slippery tub. The cape even comes with a separate hoodie to pop on your munchkin’s head!Why is it a Smarty Pants of Product?
A product that finds a way to make a baby’s bath time safer and easier for …

As you know I am a HUGE fan of The Grocery Game! Over the last 10 months I have saved more than $1600 from following the list from TheGroceryGame.com!

Check out my great shopping trip with Teri Gault, founder of the Grocery Game!! Yes, I got to go on a personal shopping trip to Publix with Teri!
http://wn.wsvn.com/global/video/popup/pop_player.asp?ClipID1=3570812&h1=Grocery%20Game&vt1=v&at1=NewsClipID1=3570812&h1=Grocery%20Game&vt1=v&at1=News

Throughout my shopping trip I learned all sorts of great saving tips! For example, I now hold onto my coupon circulars each weekend and label them with the date. This saves the crazy amount of time that I used to spend cutting and organizing nearly every coupon each weekend. Also, bulk doesn’t always add up to savings. Many times the special savings, along with a coupon, will make the average or smaller size of an item (i.e. cereal) cheaper …

$2 OFF coupon for Snuggle’s new Snuggle Creme!!!
Snuggle’s has just released Snuggle Creme in two super yummy flavors:
Sweet Almond EssenceLiquid concentrate in 32, 50, 150 load bottlesDryer sheets in 70 count and 105 countJojoba EssenceLiquid concentrate in 32, 50, 150 load bottlesDryer sheets in 70 count and 105 count
To get the coupon:http://www.snugglecreme.com/index.php?refid=SMNR

Below are the CPSC recalls I have received this past week. All information comes directly from the CPSC website. Please see the CPSC website for further, more detailed information on all recalled products mentioned below.
Smiles
Smarty Pants Mama
1. Name of product: Nordstrom Girl’s ShoesHazard: Surface paint on the outer sole of these shoes contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.Description: The recall includes six styles of Nordstrom-brand shoes for girls. “Clarice-Fab” flats are bone colored with a bow. “Eva-Fab” are bone colored T-strap sandals. “Fern-Fab” are ankle strap sandals sold in bone, pink, white, blue polka-dot or pink polka-dot. “Lilly-Fab” are fuchsia gingham ballerina flats with a bow. “Rita-Fab” are ankle strap dress shoes sold in ivory linen, pink linen, white linen, cafe satin, silver satin or …

flour
sugar
garlic powder
salt & pepper
margarine/butter
bread
potatoes

Those are 7 common items found in most kitchens. They are essentials. All kitchens should have an ample supply of each. The list continues. But I won’t share that just yet. I’m going to continue brainstorming and peeking through my cupboards to come up with my own list of 25 items that are essential in a Smart Mama’s home.
What do you think I should add to the list?

Product

Dance with the Animals DVD by Rock ‘N Learn
Smarty Pants Review
So I have found our Rock ‘N Learn favorite! The Dance with the Animals DVD is my daughter’s absolute FAVORITE DVD! I can’t tell you how often it’s watched in this home! The DVD, typical of most Rock ‘N Learn DVDs, is filled with super basic graphics, catchy songs and great content. The Animals DVD teaches the viewer all about animals at the zoo, home and more! They get to act like the animals…learning to use stick their tongue out like a lizard, or purse their lips like a fish. Too cute! My daughter’s favorite is the animal parade. Each time the animal parade comes on, any and every adult in the house must join her to parade around the family room acting as the animals in the parade. It’s a blast watching …

The very lucky winner of the LAF Brand Attachable shirt is….Kellly F!

Congrats Kelly!

Kelly F said…My nephew has lots of energy and sometimes when he comes over in his long sleeve shirt before you know it he is sweating. It would be great to just be able to take those sleeves off instead of changing into another shirt.March 15, 2009 11:09 AM

Thank you to the many readers who participated in the giveaway! Be sure to check out this week’s product – Dance with the Animals DVD! It’s perfect for your munchkin aged 0-7!

On March 6th I posted my dilema:I’m looking for recommendations on an image hosting website, such as Photobucket. I’ve been using Photobucket for about a year to store many of the images I use on this site. I’m pleased, but not thrilled. I know we are all Smart Mamas, but I know we’re not all TECHY Smart Mamas, but I will take any ounce of advice. Tell me what sites you LOVE an which ones you HATE. Why? Thanks!!!!
Thank you Tech Savvy Mama of TechSavvyMama.com for the great suggestion about Picasa, a website (and software app) that I can use to host pictures I want to use on SmartyPantsMama.com!
I had used Picasa some months ago but I was having a bad tech day (you know, one of those days that no matter what you do …

Sleep deprivation won’t end until the last child is…..
I remember hearing over and over again how one’s life completely changes after having a child. Boy were they right in sooooooooooo many ways. It’s astonishing how your mind can completely change priorities…spending the greater part of 30 years putting yourself and, in time, hubby 1st, to all of a sudden putting on the brakes, kicking yourself out of the front seat and wanting your child and hubby to ride together. Odd analogy I know.
So back to my original thought about sleep deprivation. Lately my 28 month old munchkin hasn’t been so into sleeping through the night. She’ll wake up sometime between 3 and 6 AM and come into our room. (At this point I should get out of bed and bring her back to her room.) However, I lift her up into our bed and …

Below are the CPSC recalls I have received this past week. All information comes directly from the CPSC website. Please see the CPSC website for further, more detailed information on all recalled products mentioned below.Smiles Smarty Pants MamaName of product: All-Clad 4-Square Belgian Waffle MakersHazard: Wiring inside the waffle maker can be damaged and contact the waffle maker’s metal body, posing a shock or fire hazard to consumers.Description: The recalled All-Clad 4-Square Belgian Waffle Maker is electric with a stainless steel exterior. The recall involves units with a model/ref number of #WD700462 and 4-digit manufacture date codes ending in “08”. The model/ref number and manufacture date code are located on a white label on the bottom of the waffle maker.Sold: Exclusively through Williams-Sonoma stores, catalog and Web site nationwide from March 2008 through January 2009 for about $200.To see this recall on CPSC’s …

Product

LAF Brand Attachables Clothing
Smarty Pants ReviewIt’s hot, now it’s cold…how practical is it to easily remove and attach sleeves on your toddler? Much easier than you think! LAF Brand has put together a super line of attachable clothing, making the life of a Smart Mama even easier. No worries if you packed the long sleeve shirt when it’s super chilly in the mall. Just attach the sleeves and your munchkin is all set! You’ll dirty just one piece of clothing, rather than 2!Just tonight I had my munchkin outside playing, while wearing her LAF Brand t-shirt. As the sun began to set I brought out the sleeves and within seconds had both sleeves attached. She loved watching me attach her sleeves! She called them her band-aids!Why is it a Smarty Pants of Product?
These shirts are …

Congratulations to Karen! She is the very lucky winner of the Tiny Taste Buds Variety Pack! I am certain that a special little munchkin will very much enjoy the delicious delicacies of Tiny Taste Buds!

25. Karen said…Mango sounds great.ktgonyea at xxxxx.

Don’t forget the great 10% discount for Smarty Pants Readers! Place you order today to take advantage of the super savings!

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 25 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

I’m looking for recommendations on an image hosting website, such as Photobucket. I’ve been using Photobucket for about a year to store many of the images I use on this site. I’m pleased, but not thrilled. I know we are all Smart Mama, but I know we’re not all TECHY Smart Mamas, but I will take any ounce of advice. Tell me what sites you LOVE an which ones you HATE. Why? Thanks!!!!

Below are the CPSC recalls I have received this past week. Note that 1 of the recalls is for toys sold at dollar stores and toy stores. All information comes directly from the listserve email sent by the CPSC. Please see the CPSC website for further, more detailed information on all recalled products mentioned below.Smiles Smarty Pants Mama
Name of product: Handlebar Stems Used on Salsa BicyclesHazard: The handlebar stems can crack or break, posing a fall hazard to the consumer.Description: This recall involves all CroMoto S.U.L. stems sold as individual aftermarket units and on these models of complete Salsa bicycles: Ala Carte, El Mariachi, Casseroll Triple, Casseroll Single and La Cruz. The aftermarket stems are black and have the word “Salsa” painted on the extension. The complete bike stems are painted to match the bike model color and have the word “Salsa” painted …

Product Tiny Taste Buds
Smarty Pants ReviewHow does a Smart Mama provide real, not preservative loaded, natural food to her baby? After a long day at the office, or chasing after 3 munchkins, we just don’t have the time it takes to buy, clean, cook and portion organic fruits, veggies and more. Tiny Taste Buds does just that for Smart Mamas! The company was created by two moms on a mission to help new moms feed their children right. Each dish is made with the freshest organic and conventional ingredients available, and then frozen with love. The menu has a little bit of everything, including a dash of Latin flavor. Getting your order is easy because they deliver to anywhere in the U.S. Gift certificates, a unique and practical gift for any occasion, are also available. What …

And the winners of Mat Chats are….

#49 Ingrid said…I like all of them, but would choose “Reflection”. I can just see our family now with the MatChats. Thanks.

AND

#1 mverno said…i like the attitude one i could use some help

Congratulations to you both!

Thank you to all the wonderful Smarty Pants readers who participated in this fabulous giveaway!!!

Be sure to check out this week’s Smarty Pants Product of the Week and Giveaway!

PS – If you have a product that you think is a must have for Smart Mamas, please click here to learn how to nominate your product!