Tag Archives: facebook

How attached are you to your iPhone, Droid or other smartphone? It’s second on my list, after my kids of course, of things I freak out if I can’t find!  We all know that Candyland comes before Twitter, but it’s tough some times.
Our smartphones provide immediate access to information that long ago was in big encyclopedias near the card catalog at the library.  The information would be as up-to-date as its publishing date. With the advent of smartphone technology we want quick access to the latest information and we want it NOW not just what it was 15 years ago when the hardcover book was printed.

A recent survey released by Cozi, the No. 1 online and mobile family calendar and organizer, details smartphone use in families.  I’m sure it isn’t a big surprise that moms use their phones differently …

Thanks to Plum Organics for sponsoring my post about fun kid photos and the stories behind them. Enter Plum’s “Babies for Yum Caption Contest” on Facebook and you could win a $100 gift card or Plum goodies.
Just this morning Isabella wanted Cecilia to come play in her room.  Unfortunately, the 7 week old isn’t really up for that just yet!  Isabella is still waiting for the baby to instantly grow to “full size” and play dolls with her!  I brought the baby into her room and set her on the bed.

Isabella loved that her very own baby sister was in her room, with her head on her pillow.  She carefully pulled up the covers and stared at her with a smile that made my heart melt. We talked about how Cecilia is getting to be soooo big and how the days will soon be here where …

Omaha Steaks® is hosting an “Omaha Steaks Father’s Day Giveaway” where moms, can come together with their children for a chance to win the grand prize The Ultimate Backyard Cookout for Dad that includes:

A Char-Broil RED 3-Burner Gas Infrared Grill
12 Custom Cut Omaha Steaks (choose from Filet Mignon, Boneless Strips, Ribeyes or Top Sirloins)
16 Omaha Steaks Stuffed Baked Potatoes
2 Trays of Broccoli & Cauliflower with Garlic Oil & Herbs
12 Omaha Steaks Caramel Apple Tartlets
2 lbs. of World Port Seafood Coconut Shrimp
Omaha Steaks Complete Grilling Kit

Second place winners (two total) will receive:

4 Omaha Steak Filet Mignons
16 Omaha Steak Gourmet Burgers
16 Omaha Steaks Gourmet Franks.

Simply tell Omaha Steaks in 200 words or less why your dad is your hero and feel free to upload your favorite photo with your dad. Contest ends on Sunday, June 5th at 11:59 p.m. CT
To enter the contest and for all contest details go to http://www.facebook.com/omahasteaks …

Dinnertime….
Perfect and peaceful….right?  Ha!  I know your home resembles mine.  At least I hope it does.  We have mini battles here, not every night.  Just often enough to drive this Smart Mama over the edge at times!
When my 4 year old is eating solo because daddy isn’t home yet, the 1st battle is in regards to where she’s eating.  If it were up to her Dora or the Wonder Pets would be her dinner date every night.  I’m not much of a fan of this technology infused dinner.  However, if it allows me some peace and quiet to feed the baby or honestly, just chill on Facebook, I’m all about it!  (Hey, I’m being honest; I’m not a “perfect” Smart Mama!)
The second battle begins when she looks down at her plate.  If it isn’t something she knows and has come to terms with, she will instantly state, …

Have you spotted Smarty Pants Mama on the screen at http:///www.Facebook.com/ragusauce? Be sure to visit the Mom’s the Word on Dinner app to see me share my insights on these videos:

Is your dinner online of offline?
What are your go-to veggies?
What was your funniest dinnertime moment?

Simply Join the Conversation and scroll through the 9 videos available!  Which is your favorite?  Which one relates to you & your family the most?  Leave a comment here or there to share your own insights!  Let’s use this time to share stories and tips with moms just like us!
Disclosure:  This post & videos were created in connection with my appointment as an Ambassador in Ragú® Mom’s the Word on Dinner Program.
 

My daughter is a riot, who can drive me a little bonkers at times.  Dinnertime is always an event.  I’m sure you all can relate.  This event can be productive, humorous or in reality, more often than not, frustrating!
Let’s think about those more humorous times.  You know, the ones where you mumble, “I can’t believe she just said that!” or “I can’t believe he just did that!” which have you red and laughing as you try to maintain order at dinner!
I recently sat down with moms Mindy Roberts (http://www.themommyblog.net) and Vicki Howell (http://www.VickieHowell.com) to converse about our funniest dinnertime moment.

This Ragú® Mom’s the Word on Dinner episode is also available for you to watch at Facebook.com/RaguSauce!  Be sure to visit Mom’s the Word on Dinner and “Join the Conversation” by posting your funniest moment!  I’m sure there are …

Peas. Carrots. Broccoli. Corn. Sometimes Cauliflower. Red pepper when cooked.
That would be the huge assortment of vegetables that my 4 ½ year old will eat without much protest.  Dare I introduce anything new, it would certainly be a fight.  You see my daughter is in that stage where “I don’t like it,” is stated BEFORE she even tries it.  I don’t understand.  “How do you know you don’t like it if you haven’t even tried it?”  All along I’m thinking if someone offered me beef tongue for dinner I would respond just like her!  She’s in ways nervous to try something new and prefers her “comfort” veggies.  Better that than nothing.  Right?  I’m still not trying beef tongue though!
In a recent conversation with moms Kim Tracy Prince and Daphne Brogdon as part of Ragú’s Mom’s the Word on Dinner, I was quickly reassured that I am …

TV on? Phone within reach?  One eye on your Facebook feed?  Do you twitch when you hear the chirp on your smart phone that a text has arrived?
As a mom, is your dinnertime online?  Are you still “attached” to the online world while you dine with your family? That’s what Ragú® Mom’s the Word on Dinner is asking moms today!
We all know what the “Super Mom” answer is…, “Of course not.  I would never allow my family to watch television during dinnertime and all phones are shut down and not accessible.”
Ha. Ha.  I know the truth!  Even Smart Mamas face a BIG challenge when we sit for dinner and the ding-ding on our phone is heard letting you know that text has come in, maybe one you’ve been expecting all night.  What do you do? Do you ignore it until all the peas and carrots are …

BitDefender’s Safe Holiday Shopping Tips for Mobile Devices and Social Media

The holiday shopping season is in full swing and BitDefender is here to share best
practices for safe holiday shopping to ensure consumers don’t get lumps of coal in their
bank accounts this winter.
Shopping via mobile devices and through social media instead of using home and office
computers is a new trend this year. According to the MobileMarketing Association,
59 percent of consumers plan to use their mobile device for holiday shopping and
planning. A separate study found 54 percent of retailers plan to use social media to reach
consumers during the holidays this year. With so much holiday activity happening around
mobile and social media sites, just as consumers need to know about deals, they also need
to know how to avoid scams.
Follow these tips to stay safe:
•  Be wary of the small screens on mobile devices — The small screen …

How many hours do you spend on Facebook?  Ok, you don’t have to admit that here.  But I want you to take a moment to consider the amount of time you dedicate to chatting with old classmates, posting the latest family photos, playing Farmville and declining events from your neighbor.  Facebook, like any Internet site, poses an opportunity for the bad guys (that’s a Smart Mama term for the…well the bad guys;)) to access your personal information.  We have all heard that Facebook continues to make advances on it’s security but we always hear in the same breath that it still isn’t what is should be.
Bit Defender, Smart Mama’s tool of choice for computer security (read: Smart Home: Bit Defender is my Super Hero), recently developed a great product for all of us Facebook-ers called safgo.  This Facebook application will maintain a safe Facebook environment while …

As a Smart Mom you need to budget every single minute of your day.  Most of us have a plan each morning, or I think at times a dream, of what is to be accomplished that day.  Between carpools, soccer practice and ballet, not to mention laundry, dinner and upkeep of the house, how can we attempt to face our “online” day?  A Smart Mama must have a plan, each day to get to her online responsibilities. The sites that take her away from folding laundry or getting the salad prepared for dinner must be worthwhile a serve a great purpose.  Below is a Smart Mama list of 10 things I follow or at least attempt to follow, each day. What’s on your list?  What should I add to mine?

Tweetdeck:  Twitter tool that …

I admit it, I’m addicted to my smart phone (iPhone.) Sometimes it’s out of hand. I’ve been like this for a long time.  I remember my old little Samsung flip phone back in 2001, which I could use to check my email and play basic trivia games.  I felt very techy as I would check my email at the mall.  Now, I can’t even imagine not checking all forms of social media while in line at Publix.
On a typical day I check my email, FB and TweetDeck every 5 minutes, sometimes even more often. Honestly, I typically go through an hour without even receiving new email or a Tweet that effects me, but, that certainly doesn’t keep me from continuing my fanatic refresh of my phone.
Yes, there are moments where I’m not as fanatic.  Those times I’m most happy.  It’s like the stress of checking in is …

Bright Starts™ wants to honor eight women who have led an inspirational fight against breast cancer. These amazing women have persevered through their battle and have gone on to make a difference in the world, motivating and inspiring those around them. What does it take to be a Pink Power Mom? Read about former winners at http://www.pinkpowermom.com.
Eight moms will be selected as the 2010 Pink Power Moms and will receive:
-          A $5,000 Donation to the breast cancer charity of her choice
-          A weekend of pampering with all 8 of the Pink Power Mom winners
-          A chance to be selected as the Bright Starts™ Pink Power Super Mom and to receive additional charity donations plus appear in a Bright Starts™ print advertising campaign
Do you know a mom who deserves all of this?  Nominate your Pink Power Mom today by sharing your stories about that …

Each year, Bright Starts™ honors and rewards eight women for their inspirational fight against breast cancer.  Not only have these women persevered through their battles, they have become inspirational leaders and role models for their families and communities. Whether they have started their own breast cancer foundation or have taken on an active role in existing charity organizations, they have made it their goal to make a difference in the world. You can read about these women at http://www.pinkpowermom.com
Throughout the month of June, Bright Starts™ wants to help Pink Power Moms and support their cause.  True as it may be, each of us knows a breast cancer survivor, therefore we are all very connected to this very important campaign.  To support the campaign I invite you to simply Like/Become a Fan …

It’s been some time, and I was thinking I was due for a FRIDAY FOLLOW!  I’ve undergone quite of bit of remodeling, my site my me, in the last few months.  All the great stuff is still here just organized a wee bit different!  Recall Wednesday, is still the #1 feature each week, when I publish the latest CPSC recalls.

Please use these 3 buttons above to follow me!

Winner:  Julie L who said the she’s a FB Fan!
Congrats Julie!

Win a 10-pack Personalized Butterflies Notecards by Dirtroad Sisters!
As we celebrate spring and look forward to summer, pen your notes on a set of Dirtroad Sisters (DirtroadSisters.com) fanciful note cards with bright and patterned butterflies fluttering across the white royal linen paper. This giveaway also includes a set of 10 folded notes with envelopes of your choice (white, pale blue, red)  Retail Value:  $15

To enter the giveaway:

Fan/Like my Facebook Page: www.Facebook.com/SmartyPantsMama (1 comment entry)
Leave a comment on Facebook letting me know you really want to win the notecards! (1 comment entry)
Follow me on Twitter. www.twitter.com/smartypantsmama (1 comment entry)
Post this on Twitter: Win personalized notecards from @SmartyPantsMama http://bit.ly/b0zHhm (1 comment per day)
Visit DirtroadSisters.com and pick out your favorite stationery pattern. (1 comment)

Giveaway …