Parent Grapevine Reviews: Products & Entertainment Reviews!

RANGO: An Interview with Gore Verbinski (Director)

2011-03-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

I had the distinct privilege of interviewing Gore Verbinski, director of the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy. He is a powerhouse onto himself of blockbuster hits, innovation and genius. Trivia: Gore developed and directed the famous "Bud-Wei-Ser" frog commercials which were a hit during the Superbowl a few years back.

Gore was in San Francisco on February 16, the day after walking the red carpet in Los Angeles for the premier of his animated film, Rango, which comes out this Friday March 4th. For my complete interview, click here.

RANGO: An Interview with Abigail Breslin (Voice of Priscilla)

2011-03-02T11:50:00.000-08:00

I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Abigail Breslin, famous from her breakout role in Little Miss Sunshine for which she garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She is a diminutive figure who packs a whallop into each of her performances. She is one of the youngest Academy Award nominees ever, and her career is on a trajectory for stardom.

Breslin was in San Francisco the day after walking the red carpet in Los Angeles for the premier of the animated film, Rango where she plays the part of the scruffy mouse, Priscilla.

For my complete article, link here.

Mars Needs Moms! Disney Giveaway

2011-02-22T15:55:00.000-08:00

Greetings, Earthlings! Coming to theaters on March 11th is the new Disney animated movie, Mars Needs Moms.

Take out the trash, eat your broccoli—who needs moms, anyway? Nine-year-old Milo (Seth Green) finds out just how much he needs his mom (Joan Cusack) when she’s nabbed by Martians who plan to steal her mom-ness for their own young. Produced by the team behind “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” and “The Polar Express,” “Mars Needs Moms” showcases Milo’s quest to save his mom—a wild adventure in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D that involves stowing away on a spaceship, navigating an elaborate, multi-level planet and taking on the alien nation and their leader (Mindy Sterling). With the help of a tech-savvy, underground earthman named Gribble (Dan Fogler) and a rebel Martian girl called Ki (Elisabeth Harnois), Milo just might find his way back to his mom—in more ways than one.

Parent Grapevine is please to present a fun MARS NEEDS MOMS giveaway. Our giveaway includes a youth sized shirt, adult sized shirt and a 3-pack of temporary tattoos!

To enter, please leave a comment at this link (NOT AT THIS SITE):

Leave a comment telling us what your favorite Disney movie of all time is.
Include your email address so we can contact you if you're a winner
That's it, one winner by random drawing will be selected on March 11, 2011

Gnomeo and Juliet Animated Movie: Fun Giveaway!

2011-01-31T19:53:00.000-08:00

On February 11, 2011, TOUCHSTONE Pictures introduces a wonderful new animated movie your family is sure to love, "Gnomeo and Juliet". Parent Grapevine is happy to hold a fun giveaway (see how to enter below) and also check out some cute activities below for your children. See the movie trailer below.

Two lucky Gnome Lovers will win one package that consists of a youth sized T-Shirt, Beanie and Mini Notebook. (photos below).

Two winners will receive ONE Package consisting of 1 T-Shirt, 1 beanie and 1 notebook

ACTIVITIES

Check out these fun free activities you can download and print from your computer:

Click on the sheet above to bring to full size and then print

Click on the coloring page above, then Print

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY: IMPORTANT - Please leave your comment at the bottom of this link (not on this blog) telling us what color Gnome you have in your garden (if you don't have a Gnome, tell us what color you would choose, Red or Blue). If you didn't know, it is the Red Gnomes vs. the Blue Gnomes! Be sure to leave your email address or you won't be eligible for our drawing. Random Drawing will take place on February 9, 2011.

My Impression of Impressionism: Musee d'Orsay Masterpieces at the De Young in San Francisco

2011-01-11T20:05:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago my husband and I had a grand day up in the city to celebrate our anniversary. Sans kids and "to-do" lists, we celebrated the day walking the city, getting our fill of the sites including Union Square, cable cars, cafes, and the Golden Gate Park.

We scheduled a fantastic tour of the visiting collection from the Musee d'Orsay including Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne. Room after room was filled with wonderful paintings we had only seen in photographs. To see them first hand up-close was fantastic.

Armed with an audio headset, we set off on our tour to hear the story about each painting.

The crowds were crazy. Being from Washington, D.C., where the museums are free and plentiful, we were not used to such a short exhibit with a price tag of $26 that was completed in under an hour's time. However we still thoroughly enjoyed seeing such an array amazing paintings which we missed on our last vacation to Paris.

I've heard that of all the museums in Paris, the Musee d'Orsay is the 'Must See' museum, some say even more so than the Louvre. There are definitely more famous paintings that I recognized from this exhibit but the Louvre is incomparable. I say, go to both!

As we zig-zagged our way through the maze of rooms for this exhibit, you are amazed at how close you can get to these paintings. One guard for every 50 people in the room. Envision: "The Thomas Crown Affair" with Pierce Brosnan and Renee Russo. Or the version with Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway.

But after that flash thought, you're back to the real world and the large body mass in front of you blocking your view of the painting.

Oh well. My day was complete because it was spent with my sweetie and we still had a few hours left before we had to return home.

This post was inspired by the book, The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova. I am a member of the book club: From Left to Write where we received this book but I was not compensated in any form.

SCHEDULE A SALVATION ARMY PICK-UP

2011-01-07T11:00:00.000-08:00

Now that you've hopefully survived the holidays and the house is full of new items, it's time to weed out your belongings and see what you can giveaway to someone in need. Most of us have clothes that are still in good condition, toys that our children have outgrown but are still usable, and kitchen, furniture and other useful household items that we can donate to a good cause - THE SALVATION ARMY. The Salvation Army is one of the best non-profit orgnizations there is. Over 80% of the items you donate go into the hands of those in need. Compare that to other organizations including the Red Cross and you will not find the percentage to be that high.

If you are on the West Coast link here to schedule an online pick up of your goods. You select the type of items you have for giveaway, the quantity and then the pick-up date. So simple and all from the ease of your computer.

While you're at it, check this link to learn more about the Salvation Army and the wonderful things they are involved in.

Ubisoft's Petz Nursery 2

2010-11-24T19:55:00.000-08:00

My four kids (ages 9-13) love playing with stuffed animals, so I was not surprised to see them immediately take to Ubisoft’s Petz Nursery 2. They have been taking turns playing this game ever since we received a copy to review earlier this week—although one guy is a little more addicted than the others!

A. is totally addicted!

Throughout the day I hear “oohs” and “aahs” coming from the couch, only to realize that they are all circled around the DS checking on the progress of their pets. You’ll be happy to know that Fang, Darkie, Saber, Puff, Cuffie and Bamboo are all thriving.

My daughter, who I thought would be playing it the most, has not been able to pry it out of the hands of her 3 brothers--especially A. She is already asking for her own copy this Christmas. So as you can see, this game appeals to girls AND boys. My 9 year old even said, “This game is way better than Star Wars.” Imagine that!

Petz Nursery 2 is great for kids of all ages who love critters. Again, I’ve got a 13 year old who is totally into this game (he might be embarrassed to know I am letting this secret out of the bag, but I can’t help it, I love the fact!).

Here are some of the key features of the game:

Take care of up to 22 baby petz and help them grow. As newborns, your baby petz will need to be picked up and played with, and eventually taught to crawl. When night comes, help them fall asleep by rocking them or singing them a lullaby.
There will be 22 different baby petz to unlock. You'll eventually unlock never-before-seen exotic petz. Animals such as baby pandas, tigers, polar bears, and leopard cubs, you will be able to pamper wolf cubs, piglets, and 4 different breeds of penguins!
These playful and clumsy babies love to play together. Play activities with two babies or just one; but make sure you give both babies attention or one will develop faster than the other.
Send your baby petz to the Petz virtual world, Petz World, and unlock exclusive exotic animals. On Petz World, your petz will be able to travel the world, set out on extraordinary adventures and meet tons of other petz!

Petz Nursery 2 retails for about $29.99. You can find it at Toys R Us and Amazon.

While Ubisoft provided me with this game to review, the opinions I've expressed here are solely my own and represent my honest viewpoint. Ubisoft, Clever Girls Collective and I promote Blog With Integrity.

Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I

2010-11-22T13:04:00.000-08:00

Without a doubt, the most highly anticipated movie this year in our household has got to be "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I". All three of my daughters are intoxicated with all things Harry Potter, having read and re-read each book in the series a number of times, watched and re-watched the movies, - and they keep up with all the latest blogs such as the Leaky Cauldron, Official JK Rowling site, and the Very Potter Musicals on YouTube. They are all thrilled that Darren Criss (lead from the Very Potter Musicals) is part of the Glee ensemble now. And yes, we've already been to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando - what a hit that was!

But now, about the MOVIE. From all accounts, from our 19-year old who saw it with her college Quidditch team at the San Jose Tech Museum midnight show, to my 12 and 15 year-old children, it was the best of the movies in the series thus far. The seventh book is also one of their favorites. With that in mind, the movie could have been a big disappointment with so much riding on it. But the movie stayed pretty much true to the book. But where it veered from the storyline, such as the opening where Hermoine is preparing to leave her parents, and a dance scene with Harry and Hermione when they are on the run, both added to the thread of the story and enhanced rather than detracted from the plot.

All three of the main actors, Daniel Radcliff, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, have grown up before our eyes in the ten years they have been playing the parts of Harry, Ron and Hermione. Their acting and credibility have matured and this is probably their best work yet. The story is also more intense which gives their acting range more to work with.

And was this a money-making decision to take the last book and break it into TWO films? Our family all agrees that to give the book full justice, it had to be broken into two films. The story is so detailed in the pursuit of the remaining horcruxes and the arc of the story where Harry and Voldemort meet for the last time, that it was truly a decision all fans could appreciate. If anything, they wish they did that with the other books in the series as some felt rushed and left out details fans wish were kept in the films.

This film is a MUST SEE for all Harry Potter fans. There is some gore and a few scary moments that we feel make this a 10 (years old) and above to view this film. If parents have approved this book for their younger children, it will make for a great dinner conversation with the innuendos to religion, war, love, and friendship.

Disney's Tangled Giveaway! Two Sets of Tangled T-Shirts and Silly Bandz!

2010-11-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Halloween 2010 is over, so what's next? It's time for the holiday movies to begin! Our family cannot wait to see Disney's newest animated big screen movie, "Tangled". Based on the fable "Rapunzel", "Tangled" takes a whole new twist to the maiden locked in the tower with the long golden braids of hair.

The voices of Mandy Moore and Zach Levi take on the lead characters. Zach Levi lends his voice to the male character, Flynn Rider, the kingdom's most wanted, but charming bandit. Mandy Moore emotes the character of Rapunzel, the fabled teen with the golden 70-foot mane of golden tresses who has been locked up in a tower by a wicked enchantress, Mother Gothel, who stole Rapunzel when she was a baby.

The movie has all of the charm of a Disney animated classic. While the technology behind the animation has made incredible leaps, you can still see the wonderful and familiar style that has made Disney animation so enduring and endearing.

Parent Grapevine is excited to have a wonderful giveaway wrapped around this movie. Between November 1 and November 24, Parent Grapevine will be giving away TWO wonderful bundles consisting of three T-shirts (one of each character - Rapunzel, Flynn Rider and Pascal, Rapunzel's color-changing chameleon) with 3 silly bandz packs.

To Enter:

Leave a comment on this blog with a way for us to contact you. In your comment tell us about your most memorable or favorite Disney animated movie of all time. Tangled just happens to be Disney's 50th animated full-length movie!

One entry per person. However there is a way to get another entry by subscribing to our blog. Send your second comment to us letting us know you're a subscriber and we'll enter your name in twice for the contest.

The random drawing will be held on November 24th and we will announce our two winners right after Thanksgiving, on November 26th. We will do our best to get your t-shirt sizes. We do not have flexibility in changing the characters on the shirts.

LEGO Universe--Massively Multiplayer Online Game

2010-10-28T19:58:00.000-07:00

This week I had the opportunity to participate in LEGO Universe’s online launch party. I have to admit I am not a big gamer. I gave it a try and was very impressed by the graphics and colorful LEGO worlds. However, I had a hard time navigating around but I blame that on my lack of patience and video gaming experience.

I knew that there was more to online gaming than just having good graphics, so I turned over the keyboard to my 3 sons (who are seasoned gamers) to get their review.

All three of my sons (ages 9, 9, &13) couldn’t wait to try out the game. They are big Club Penguin as well as World of War Craft fans. Needless to say they know their way around multiplayer online games (we only have the free accounts).

So it was with great excitement that they loaded LEGO Universe onto our home computer. They were whisked away immediately into the amazing online adventure. They enjoyed creating their own avatars, building their own territories and going to different LEGO worlds. They thought the graphics were great and loved battling and fighting the Maelstrom spiders and ninjas.

All and all they gave it a big thumbs up. As a parent, I like how this game fosters creativity and gives players the opportunity to use their imagination to create and customize the gaming experience.

The big deterrent for me (much to my kids' dismay), is the pricing structure. The game costs $39.99 and includes the first month. A paid subscription is required to continue play with 1, 6 and 12 month subscription options available. And each player needs their own account and subscription to play.

In general, I think it is a great game and one that kids would really enjoy. But the reason my kids won't be a regular part of this universe is due to the monthly subscription fees.

*I received a free product for review purposes. I did not receive any form of compensation from the company. All opinions are my own and not influenced in anyway.

All Tangled Up?

2010-10-19T21:33:00.000-07:00

Click to see the movie trailer

Check out the link about "Tangled", the new animated movie coming out November 24th from Walt Disney Pictures. And be sure to stop by between November 1st through 24th to enter a great giveaway for a T-Shirt and Silly Bandz.

BEAUTIFUL DARKNESS: CASTER CHRONICLES #2

2010-10-11T21:36:00.000-07:00

By Danielle Case

I was a contest winner, a few months ago, and was able to get my hands on an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of the soon-to-be-released "Beautiful Darkness". This is the 2nd in the Caster Chronicles series by Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia, and I was very impressed. I will try to say very few spoilers (if any!) in this review, but if you are at all concerned of being the least bit spoiled, this review is not required reading!

"Beautiful Darkness" got much more detailed about what other beings there are in the world of Stohl and Garcia, and that was very interesting stuff, in my opinion. Hand in hand with new kinds of beings are of course many, many new characters. There are one or two introduced too close to the end to really connect with, but the rest are very interesting and mysterious.

The book also has lots more confusion, action, mystery, and "NO WAY!" moments, and the book does have much more of a cliff-hanger ending than the last (REALLY big cliff-hanger!).

I really like the cover art change from a fence to a stairway, as it really does reflect the book more. I don't really remember a fence showing up in the book at all, in fact, but there are definitely several staircases and the characters certainly use them.

Some bits are a little unbelievable, and they come at the end, but I shan't say what these are, exactly, and other parts tend to drag on.

HOWEVER, this book was really, really excellent, and I recommend it. I am eagerly awaiting the third book in the series!

88 Cent Flip-Flops

2010-10-08T10:12:00.000-07:00

I know that most of you are putting your flip-flops away since fall is here, but you may want to stock up for next summer with this great deal. Old Navy has cute flip-flops for just 88 cents.

Jabra-Ca-Dabra! Jabra Wireless Headsets for the Mobile Mom

2010-10-06T14:07:00.000-07:00

Go To Gals, of Parent Grapevine, was invited to a wonderful luncheon hosted by Jabra US. Jabra, if you haven't heard by now, is the leading maker of wireless (and wired) bluetooth headsets.

Being Mobile Moms - and you know you are - it's critical to be in touch but hands free. Not only is it necessary when you are in your car to be hands-free, but as most of us moms know, we never have enough hands to get things done throughout our day.

If we're not grocery shopping and having our hands full carrying bags from our car to the kitchen; carrying small babies, blogging or loaded up with paperwork from the office, - we just need more hands to get everything done.

So, get yourself a Jabra wireless headset - and might we recommend the cool little Jabra Stone? See how cool looking this is next to my iPhone and iPad? This cool little device comes in a compact stone-sized recharger that fits nicely in your pocket, handbag or briefcase. I've been testing it out for the past 24 hours.

After charging it up, I paired it with my iPhone and with a simple tap of the headset called a few numbers to test it out.

At first, it took some getting used to, - there's a difference between "tapping", "pressing", and even "touching" the headset for different purposes. By sliding your finger up or down the side of the headset, you can control the volume. But if you press it, you might hang up your call accidentally. Or, when you put the headset on, you might inadvertently dial the last number you called (one of the 'features' of the headset, memory recall).

While that may sound like the device has some nuances to get used to, it does. But what technical device isn't without a few things to get used to? I often "butt dial" from my iPhone when I take it out of my purse or pocket unknowingly. And who recalls someone who had a VCR that flashed 12:00 because the could never figure out how to set the clock?

That being said, once you get used to the workings of the Jabra Stone, you will find that you love the wireless feature and the clarity. Talking to a few friends today they could not tell I was on a headset. Making calls from my car was simple and I love how light and sleek it looks (just needs a bit of flashy bling to it).

So check it out, and get yourself a nice wireless headset to get more things done with just two hands!

We were provided with a few more products which we will share on our blog. If you have questions about these Jabra products, drop a comment and we'll get it answered for you! We hope to test a new Skype-ready device soon, something that will make calling our college student a whole lot easier.

Get the Stone - Jabra-Dabbra-Doooo!

New! From Foster Farms - Great Bites

2010-09-28T16:20:00.000-07:00

Who among us has ever had that mad weekday rush to figure out what's for dinner? With school in session and soccer, swimming and other sports going on, dinner isn't always easy to plan. That's where Foster Farms comes in to help busy parents.

Foster Farms is introducing a new "bite sized" healthy chicken burger for an after school snack or quick-fix dinner. These healthy slider size goodies come in two flavors including Mini Chicken Cheeseburgers with BBQ Sauce or Chipotle.

Great Bites flame broiled chicken cheeseburgers come in packages of six or twelve pieces.

They are easy to prepare, in just two minutes or less you can have a piping hot mini-burger from your microwave.

Look for them at Safeway, Vons, Randall, SaveMark, Lucky, Albertsons, Ralphs and Genuardi's.

Go To Gals received several boxes to test among our hungry children, and we give them a thumbs up for tasty & easy preparation.

It's AUTUMN at Restaurant.com!

2010-09-25T15:51:00.000-07:00

I was once dubious about Restaurant.com - how could they sell a $25 restaurant certificate for only $4? Well, now they are selling them for only $2 if you use the coupon code: AUTUMN. I just purchased a $10 certificate for Sonoma Chicken Coup in San Jose for only $0.80 - that's right EIGHTY CENTS!

Now that one of my daughters is in college, we plan to start a new tradition of going out to dinner one or two times a month using these certificates. It's a great way to try new restaurants and a fun way to catch up as a family.

Included with this offer is a $10 Restaurant.com certificate that will be added to your account.

Just be sure you check out each restaurant's restrictions such as minimum purchase required and gratuity added to your bill. But other than that, these really save money and help these smaller establishments gain new clients.

Juice in the City!

2010-09-23T18:31:00.000-07:00

We've just become affiliates of Juice in the City. Juice in the City aims to bring moms great deals on fun things to do. Each day Juice in the City features something fun for local moms to do at an incredible price. Juice in the City started in the SF Bay Area and is rolling out new cities across the country every few weeks. Check it out and sign up!

You'll find the daily deals listed in our sidebar!

Turn Your Video Tapes into DVDs--Groupon Deal of the Day!

2010-09-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

If you are like me and have a drawer full of memories trapped on a video tape, this Groupon deal is for you. Aim Mail Center in Los Gatos will turn up to 2 hours of tape into a DVD for only $9--regularly $24.95.

I just got the deal and can't wait to turn my son's first year of milestones documented on tape into an easy to watch DVD (he is now 13). Time to break out the popcorn (and tissue) and gather the family around the tv for some fun memories!

AAA: The Often Forgotten Discount WorldWide

2010-09-13T16:04:00.000-07:00

A discount folks often forget to use is their AAA (Triple "A") card. Not everyone has one, but when I ask most of my friends if they are members nearly all of them are.

Not only is AAA for roadside emergencies but they also have a number of other services and products including home and automobile insurance, travel planning and a ton of discounts. For instance, did you know you can:

Get 10% off Target.com? If you login to your AAA account, you can go to "Discounts - Shopping" and locate the link to Target.com. That's like no tax (but often you do have to pay for shipping, so look for "free shipping" items).
Save 10% off Fresh Choice restaurants?
Save 10% off shoes from Payless by showing your AAA card?
Save 20% off Best Buy Geek Squad!
Save (amount varies) on Amtrak tickets.

We recently vacationed in Orlando, Florida - which is one of the biggest tourist locations world wide. We saved on dining and souvenirs while visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. So don't forget to whip out your AAA card and take advantage of the saving discounts wherever your travels may take you.

Shutterfly Photo Book For $10 @ Groupon!

2010-09-06T08:11:00.000-07:00

Groupon has become my new favorite site for finding terrific deals on things I actually want/use. Today's deal is perfect anyone who enjoys putting together photo books. Get a 20 page photo book at Shutterfly for only $10 (regularly $29.99). Click on over to Groupon to get this great deal today!

I can't wait to put a book together of my summer vacation pictures!

Box of Fresh Produce

2010-09-02T11:09:00.000-07:00

Today at Groupon they are offering a box of fresh produce plus delivery from the Boxed Farm Company--a $50 value for $25!

My husband has been saying we should try this type of service for years. He recently read The Omnivores Delimma (which examines the food choices we make and the implications on ourselves as well as the environment) and through our discussions (I have not read it yet), we've decided to try and make a better effort to purchase produce from local growers. So when I saw this offer today, I knew I had to try it.

Snack Time: Pretzel Crisps - When You Need A Healthy Snack!

2010-08-31T18:28:00.000-07:00

Now that school has started, our household is always in search of a new and healthy snack to put in lunchboxes and for after school.

GoToGals welcomed the chance to try out Pretzel Crisps, made by Snack Factory. These thin little crisps are so great paired with multiple toppings (check here for great recipes ideas!) and are now jam packed with 20% more crisps for the same low price of $2.99 for a 6 oz. bag.

They have some wonderful flavors including Tuscan Three Cheese, Supreme and Cinnamon Toast, all available at Whole Foods nationwide. They've also just added my favorite, Garlic Parmesan. Look for this in the deli section at your grocery store. Yummy, simply amazing! And get this, these low calorie crisps do not have any trans fat, saturated fats or cholesterol, and are only 110 calories per serving! My husband LOVES that since he has to be careful of his cholestrol intake.

At GoToGals, we have 7 kids between us. The kids loved these crispy little snacks and the multiple flavors they come in!

Try them next time you're at Whole Foods!

Note: GoToGals was provided with samples to try out by Snack Factory. We were not compensated or asked to write a review of their product. We simply love this product and give it our GoToGals 2 Shopping Bags Seal of Approval!

Save 30% at Gap, Old Navy & Banana Republic

2010-08-26T15:21:00.000-07:00

Shop now through August 29 to get 30% off at Gap, Old Navy, Gap Outlet, Banana Republic,Factory Sotre, and Athleta in-store or online. Not only will you save 30% but you can choose a non-profit to receive 5%.

Click here to get the online Give Get Coupon.

Clearance Sale at Restaurant.COM

2010-08-25T11:54:00.000-07:00

Restaurant.com is having a huge clearance sale now through August 21, 2010. It's almost too good to be true when you can purchase a $25.00 certificate to a nice restaurant for only $2.00. What's the catch? Well, you do have to check the fine print carefully to see what, if any, restrictions apply. For instance, there are often certain days they are good (some restaurants do not take the certificates on weekends), and check if there is a mininum or gratituity added on the bill. But other than that, these are as good as GOLD, almost. We've purchased several certificates and could not believe how great a savings it was. Dinner for two was like paying for one! So check it out, but be forewarned to read the fine print. Other than that - this could be your ticket to your next night out!

Aeropostale Sale Going On Now! 50%

2010-08-21T20:37:00.000-07:00

Are your kids Aeropostale fans? If so, now's a great time to get in on their big sale. At this time of year they have some of the best deals of the year. For a limited time you can get hoodies for $14.75, jeans for $19.75, and polos for only $9.75. So check them out and stock up on these great basics for the new school year!

$50 Gap Gift Certificate for $25 at Groupon

2010-08-19T12:52:00.000-07:00

I was looking for a deal to share with you and found this $50 Gap gift certificate for $25 at Groupon. Hurry because the offer expires today!

Groupon is a website that features something cool to do or daily deals at great prices. You only get the deal if enough people join/buy the item. If purchases are not made or "tipped" (to meet the quota) before the time runs out, your card isn't charged and nobody gets the deal.

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey: FUNUNDRUM! Comes to Oakland and San Jose!

2010-08-12T11:07:00.000-07:00

The Greatest Show On Earth! When was the last time you went to the circus as a child? That experience will be a solid memory forever. Whether it was the clowns (personally they always scared me as a child), or the 3-ring show, it was an experience that is etched like no other because it is so incredible.

In Oakland at the Oracle Arena, The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Funundrum begins today, August 11 through August 15th. Then it moves to the San Jose HP Pavilion and runs from August 18 through August 22. During the week you can purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44. Use the redemption code: MOM for these specials. Over the weekend you can get $5 off tickets to all shows, again using the redemption code MOM. you can purchase tickets on line at TICKETMASTER.

We know how hard it is to go to the circus and walk past all of the animial protesters like PETA. In efforts to educate the public on how the circus protects and cares for their animal performers, Ringling Brothers has made special efforts to host events such as their elephant bath and invite mommy bloggers such as ourselves to learn more about how they handle their trained animals.

I hope to attend this event when it comes to San Jose on August 19th, and if I do I will write more about it next week. Until then, before the summer winds down and school starts, consider going to the Greatest Show on Earth - The Circus at the Oakland Arena from August 11 - 15 or the San Jose HP Pavilion August 18-22.

Santa Cruz Boardwalk--Evening Specials

2010-08-06T08:12:00.000-07:00

School is just around the corner and I know many of you are looking to squeeze in a few last minute day trips with the kids. The Santa Cruz Boardwalk has a great deal where if you bring in a Pepsi can on a Wednesday or Thursday after 5 p.m., you can receive an unlimited ride wristband for only $9.95.

They also have their free Friday night concert series going on. See your favorite blast from the past bands including:

Aug 6	A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS
Aug 13	SPIN DOCTORS
Aug 20	PAPA DOO RUN RUN
Aug 27	STARSHIP starring MICKEY THOMAS
Sept 3	THE TUBES featuring Fee Waybill

What to Pack for College - The Real List

2010-08-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year. Most kids hate it. Most Moms are ambivalent about it. It's Back to School time!! For our family, in addition to middle and high school, we now have college to add to our list of schools. This opens up an entirely new floodgate of information about things to buy and prepare for.

In addition to the list of common dorm room things to buy, I wanted to find out what other things might not be at the top of the list but are used more than expected and top what I call, The Overlooked List of College Items to Buy. Sure, you need your XL twin sized sheets (buy more than one set so you can do the laundry and still have a set on hand) and mini-fridge. But more often than not there are those unexpected items you wish you thought of when you were at Target and could have gotten the best price. So keep this list handy when you're out shopping for your college-bound child, they will thank you when they next see you, at Thanksgiving time!

So, herewith is The Overlooked List of College Items to Buy, obtained by asking experienced moms of college students.

Ear Plugs: Unless you have the super-human ability to tune out 99 college noises, you will want to have some sort of ear plug on hand. Whether you use your iPod ear buds or purchase those foam, form-fitting ear plugs, you will want to have some sort of ear plug to tune-out the outside noise so you can tune-in and concentrate on your studies.
Flip-Flops or Croqs: If you're going to be living in a dorm or even a fraternity or sorority house, you'll want to avoid those slippery and disgusting shower floors because you may never know who was there last, including non-human critters. You can find flip-flops for a few dollars at many drug stores or my personal favorite, Target.
Tool Box with 5 Essential Items: When you're getting your room prepared and making it look more like home, you'll need a few tools to make that possible. These are also handy when you have small repairs like fixing shelves, Sony Playstations, Wiis or even your loft bed. Put these items in your college tool box:

Small hammer
Leatherman tool (this will contain both a flathead and phillips screwdriver and pliers), plus other handy tools- may even have a bottle opener
Bottle Opener (Oh, Yeah - sudden memories are flashing for some of you parents reading this)
Stapler - include a heavy duty stapler to hang heavier objects, plus the normal paper variety
Duct Tape - you may even discover a new use for Duct Tape while in college

Pivotable Powerstrip by Quirky

Power Strip and Adapter: In some of the older dorms, you may not have a three-prong power outlet. So having an Adapter is a must. In addition to that many older dorms were built for a different generation that was pre-laptops, pre-cell phone, pre-PSPs, and pre-Wiis. It's important for the college student to have something like this pivotable powerstrip by Quirky or the Squid by Phillips.
Overdoor Hangers/Hooks/Towel Rack: The thing about dorm rooms is they are way too small and therefore every inch counts. With two people crammed into a tiny room making the most of your living space is essential. So use every nook and cranny such as getting over-the-door hooks for every single door to hang towels, jackets, pocketbooks, shoes. The Container Store has some very handy and functional accessories for the dorm that if taken care of, can be used year after year.

So keep this list handy, whether this is for your child or your niece or nephew. You will earn the respect of whoever you give these items to, they will think you're a genius!

Soccer Camp--Spots Still Available

2010-08-03T17:42:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for something to keep your kids active during these last few weeks of summer (you know, get them away from the Wii and DS), I highly recommend checking out the US Soccer Coaching's, Saratoga Summer Soccer Camp.

My kids are not ones who enjoy going to camp--they prefer hanging out at home (I'm sure you can guess what they are doing), but they LOVE this camp. It is the first time that they've done any organized camp or sport where they were actually excited to go. This is truly a first for me!

The coaches are terrific--they are very friendly and quick to connect with the kids. They keep the kids engaged with soccer skill drills, scrimmages, and games. My gang of 4 are learning and improving their skills and having fun while doing it. And again, no complaining!

Space is still available at the Saratoga Summer Soccer Camp, located at Congress Springs in Saratoga, August 9-13th for kids ages 3-13. Their rates are very reasonable ranging from $75-$250 for the week (prices vary by age and 1/2 day or full day camp). Click here for more information.

US Soccer Coaching also offers a variety of soccer programs in the fall. For their fall program schedule visit US Soccer Coaching's website.

We Have a WIN-AAH!

2010-08-03T16:26:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to JFMadsen---she is our lucky WAT-AAH WIN-AAH! We know she and her family will enjoy this mixed case of WAT-AAH along with the WAT-AAH goodies!

Beauty and the Beast at the Golden Gate Theater, San Francisco

2010-07-29T15:29:00.000-07:00

TALE AS OLD AS TIME, TRUE AS IT CAN BE

Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the smash hit Broadway musical, is coming to San Francisco! Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this eye-popping spectacle has won the hearts of over 35 million people worldwide.

For a limited engagement, you can take in this amazing broadway musical from August 16-29th only.

This classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers including "Be Our Guest" and the beloved title song. Experience the romance and enchantment of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST!

For more information on the show, click here.
Listen to the podcast about the show.

To experience what else is happening at SHN, check out SHNews. Click here.

Join SHN on FACEBOOK for special offers, ticket giveaways, invites and more!

SAT Boot Camp: Free SAT Prep for one Month From Knewton

2010-07-27T13:13:00.000-07:00

Knewton is giving away an entire month (August) of SAT prep courses, free. With SAT prep season coming up, many of you will find this very useful. SAT Boot Camp is geared towards both parents and students.

For the month of August, parents will receive weekly workout tips and will be able to attend free webinars with topics such as financial aid and how to prepare for test day. Most notably, students have access to a month of our live, interactive classes taught by our top-rated teachers. You can find more info about "SAT Boot Camp" here: http://www.knewton.com/sat

See their promo vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXIC27zBKo8

You can sign up 'til July 31.

Now 80% Off Gift Certificates at Restaurant.com

2010-07-17T06:59:00.000-07:00

Imagine having a great dinner at one of your local restaurants for just a few dollars! Or if you are traveling soon check to see if there are certificates for restaurants in that city.

With the 80% off sale going on right now at http://www.restaurant.com/ you can get $25 gift certificates for just $2! We were not sure about this until we tried it recently, it just seems too good to be true. But we went to Palo Alto recently on a Saturday night to Mantras (a highly rated restaurant) and were amazed at how low our actual bill was because of this sale. The food was outstanding and in this economy having a certificate like this was great. You may not always find the restaurants you frequent on their list, but check out who else is there and try some place new! Be sure to check out any stipulationa because sometimes weekends are restricted. Restaurant.com helps some of the smaller establishments get more traffic. These make great gifts for teachers and are a great for date night. Look for even bigger discounts once you are on their mailing list.

July 11th - Free Slurpee Day at Participating 7-Eleven's from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm!

2010-07-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love free things? Well don't forget that on July 11th (7-11) from 7 am until 11 pm, you can get a free Slurpee at any 7-Eleven!

There's no limit (so we've been told) to how many friends you can invite to this, so line 'em up!

Cool down with this hot summer with a free Slurpee, only at 7-Eleven on July 7!

Kids 12 and Under Bowl FREE This Summer! 300 San Jose

2010-07-03T09:35:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for some inexpensive ways to keep your kids busy this summer, 300 San Jose Bowling has the solution for you, and amazingly it’s free! Plus, it’s indoors and parent’s can also get in on the fun too. From now until September 7, kids 12 and under can join 300’s Summer Kids Club program at no charge, and every Sunday through Friday before 4pm, kids get one free game and free shoe rental.

300 Kids Club Card - June 1st - Sept. 7th

As the kids count down till summer break, be sure to stop in to pick up your 2010 Kids Club Card. It's good for one free game & shoe rental every day this summer. Must be 12 years or younger to qualify. Card redeemable Sun-Fri before 4pm and expires 9/7/10. For more info, give us a ring at 408.578.8500.

WAT-AAH:- Check out this Free Giveaway!

2010-07-01T13:04:00.000-07:00

Moms, what (rather WAT) are your kids drinking during these hot, humid summer days? For quite a while now I've steered away from sugary soft drinks and high calorie juices for my children. Those types of drinks promote diabetes and overweight kids. Now, there's a wonderful natural drink kids will love that's got some added extra benefits - WAT-AAH!

Right now we are giving away a free mixed case filled with WAT-AAH! including Brain, Energy, Power and Body along with some awesome WAT-AAH! Goodies (Stickers, tattoos, pencils etc...).

To enter please provide a comment to this blog with your email address. We will have a drawing at the end of July and hopefully you will be our winner!

Also follow WAT-AAH ON TWITTER! and BECOME A FAN on Facebook! Check out the Show Me WAT-YOU-GOT contest for some amazing prizes just by uploading your video displaying your awesome talent! Show us WAT YOU GOT!

Review: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando

2010-06-21T11:39:00.000-07:00

In the four days that we attended the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, we've come away with some great tips and notes to make your future trip there more enjoyable. Granted, we were there over the grand opening, craziest weekend ever. But the executives of Universal Studios theme parks expect it to be opened to packed crowds all summer long.

Our review at Go To Gals, includes the rides, the stores and the best bets while you visit the park.

If you have any tips and notes to share, please leave them in our comments section. We appreciate it!

Best Bet - Use your AAA Card for discounts! Our biggest tip of the day when visiting the park is to remember to use your AAA to get up to 10% off your purchases. Some of the clerks may not know to accept your card so be sure to ask for a manager. A number of the clerks we asked said they don't accept it yet, but according to the park customer services, they say they do. We had no problem getting the discount at the restaurant.

The Rides and Features

There are only three rides within the theme park. Whether you choose to do the rides before you shop is up to you, however we found that the stores were less crowded earlier in the day so we did our shopping first. It seemed that everyone was shopping later in the day and could browse and browse forever. So our tip is to do the rides later in the day when everyone else is shopping.

Review of the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (***** Five out of Five Stars)
Restrictions: Must be 48 inches to ride
Duraction: 4 minutes
The back entrace to the park wraps you around to the left by the castle for this ride. For die-hard Harry Potter fans, this is the signature ride of the park. The ride uses state-of-the-art Robocoaster technology which enables the seats of four to pivot while being held above the track by the robotic arm. Also called a "dark ride", this refers to the concept that the ride is not your traditional roller coaster taking up loads of track and sweeps of rolling and rocking trains that ride on them; rather this ride is encased in a large warehouse in which multiple chairs of four are lifted by the robotic arms and carried and swayed from scene to scene of animation, sound, music and special effects. For everyone that experienced this ride, they all said it was the best ride they've ever been on.

A wonderful part to this ride is that the lines to board first take you through the Hogwarts castle where you experience the various important props and scenes from the books and movies including the Mirror of Erised, the Hogwarts house jewels, high walls of talking portraits, and recreations of important rooms including Dumbledore's office, Defense Against the Dark Arts Classroom, and the Gryffindor common room where holograms of Harry, Ron and Hermoione urge you to meet up with them in the Room of Requirement for an adventure. If you are prone to getting motion sickness, like I am, you might think twice about going on the ride. You can tour the castle and then up to the point before others continue on to board the ride you can be escorted down the stairs to exit out through Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods (a flagship store of the park). The only thing you'll miss is the talking Sorting Hat that reminds you of the safety precautions before boarding the ride.

Flight of the Hippogriff (**** Four out of Five)
Restrictions: Must be 36" tall to ride
Duration: 1:06 minutes
This ride is gentler than the premier Forbidden Journey ride. To reach out to the younger crowd and families, this ride teaches you the proper way to approach a Hippogriff, the bird-like creature that was saved by Harry, Ron and Hermione from being executed and in turn the Hippogriff enabled Sirius Black to escape dementors and taken to Azkaban. Basically, the ride is a simple roller coaster which travels around scenes from Hagrid's Hut where "students" (riders) are shown how to properly bow to a Hippogriff and then taken on a test flight. Universal Studios must be going 'Green" because the roller coaster is a recycled ride previously called the Flying Unicorn as part of the Lost Continent. You should plan on taking this ride after you've done everything else in the park as it does not tend to have a long line.

Dragon Challenge (**** Four out of Five)
Restrictions: Must be 54" to ride
Duraction: 2:25 minutes
This pair of dueling dragon roller coasters is the first of its kind. It features two distinct roller coasters, or dragons, which riders can choose from before boarding. You can choose either the Chinese Fireball or the Hungarian Horntail dragon. These roller coasters reach speeds up to 60 mph. Prior to the ride, the anticipation gets set by taking the queue of riders through the TriWizard tent as described in The Goblet of Fire, book four of the series. The unique feature of this ride is the two roller coasters have three near misses as they traverse the tracks and twist and turn and invert. Riders should be prepared and only those riders who do not get motion sickness should board, it definitely is not for the weak of heart. Again, like the Flight of the Hippogriff, this ride was previously part of the Lost Continent and called Fire and Ice at the time. It is still the only full inverted duel roller coaster in the world.

Hogwarts Express

As you enter the main entrace to the park (there are two entrances) you will first encounter the Hogwarts Express. This is a photo opportunity where you can take a photo with the conductor. You can try to stump the conductor with a question as he is supposed to be quite versed in the facts of all of the books and movies. While we were there, it was under 90 degree heat and high humidity, so he must have been drenching in his wool conductor outfit. But he speaks with a British accent and is a fun part of the whole experience.

The Frog Choir and Triwizard Rally
The two shows at the park are the Hogwart's Frog Choir and the Triwizard Rally featuring the Beaubaxton beauties and the Drumstrang heartthrobs. The choir consists of a quartet of singers who have pretty good voices singing some familiar movie tunes as well as new ones. They are dressed in school robes and two students carry pillows with singing frogs. The rally includes the two other countries competing in the triwizard tournament and the Beaubaxton beauties do a nice ribbon dance while the Drumstrang men do a nice fight rally. All part of the experience capture characters from the Potter series.

The Stores
By far, the most crowded area of the theme park are the stores. The slew of Harry Potter fans are here not only to experience the rides, but to take pieces of the books and films by purchasing items like candies from Honeydukes, robes from Dervish and Banges, wands from Olivanders and T-shirts from Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods bearing favorite emblems. Herewith our rating of these goods and stores:

Honeydukes $$$ (out of five, affordable yet not cheap)
As candy stores go, this one meets the expectations of the Harry Potter fan. Here you can find the candies Harry and Ron enjoyed on their train ride to Hogwarts and trips to Hogsmead including chocolate frogs, Bertie Botts Every Flavor Jelly Bean, Pepper Imps, Treacle Fudge, Cauldron Cakes and Fizzing Whizbees. Prices are not much more than any other resort candy store. Most items were ten dollars or less. Our children were thrilled with the items that have the same packaging as what they saw in the movies. Great marketing! Prices range from $4.95 for a jar of Pepper Imps and $9.95 for the Chocolate Frog which includes a "trading" card. A box of Bertie Bott Jelly Beans costs $9.95. For under $10 you can purchase some fun souvenirs and savor the flavor and keep the boxes or jars.

Zonkos $$$ (out of five, affordable yet not cheap)
In the book series, Zonkos is the store where wizards can purchase novelty items. However, we did not find the items the website claims such as extendable ears and shrunken heads. But we did find Sneakoscopes, Snitches, Screaming Yo-Yos, and Pygmy Puffs. A Sneakoscope and Snitch retails for $14.95 and the Remembrall is $12.95. So for under $20 you can make some fun and unique purchases.

The Owl Post
This is not a store, but a shaded covered section where guests can rest their weary bones from all the walking they will do in the park. Among the rafters are the owls familiar from the story that take the postal notes to their destination. Going with this theme is a great "secret", where you can take your letters and postcards and the only place you can get the Hogwarts postmark in the world. Surprise your Harry Potter friends and family with a letter from here and they will be thrilled to see the postage stamp and postmark. My kids even sent letters to themselves as well as got the postmark stamp in books the brought to the park (to read while standing in long lines).

Dervish and Banges ($$$$$ Pricey)
For the die-hard (cultish) fan, this store is where you'll find $100 school robes and upwards of $300 brooms. You'll also find other school uniform pieces including ties, iron-on badges with the various school crests and keychains. A big hit are the lanyards which look like the uniform ties but can hold your ticket in a plastic badge (does not come with the badge holder). Lanyards retail for $9.95. T-shirts range from $24 to $50, so take your pick based on the prices and logos. You will find sweaters you cannot find in the other stores but we did not find them to be The school robes, (dry clean only) are $100 and include a wand pocket. You can also purchase stationary items including journals and writing items. There are also the wax seals with various school stamps. The wand shop, Olivanders, exits through Dervish and Banges so every 15 minutes you'll get a new influx of people who fill up the store aside from the other browsers and buyers. On a hot day those crowds can be overwhelming so exiting the store can feel like you've been released from Azkaban.

Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods ($$$$ Pricey yet affordable)
Like any well planned theme park, the signature ride exits and spills out to a store to make sure you purchase something! Named after the school keeper, Filch, this store has many of the same items as Dervish and Banges, but also carries an assortment of T-shirts you won't find there, keeping you going from store to store to see what's different. The stock will change so we can't list what's different as that may change. But you won't find the robes or broomsticks here. For that you have to go to Dervish and Banges. Mostly you will find the lanyards, keychains, good assortment of t-shirts, pins for lanyards and caps. Prices range from $7.95 for pins and keychains to $25 on up for t-shirts and caps/hats.

Olivander's Wand Shoppe ($$$$ Pricey but a must if you're the Chosen One)

While Olivanders is not a ride, it is a fun and unique experience where you hope you are the Chosen One. The line here builds because only 15-20 people are allowed in at a time because the shop is relatively small. The four walls are lined from floor to 25-oot ceiling high with shelf upon shelf of wand boxes. The shop owner sereptiously picks one of the wandering people who are told to look around the shop when they enter. My youngest daughter was picked and given two wands to test. Without giving too much of the surprise away, those two wands do not do the "trick". But then, the third wand performs its magic and the room lights up and it is declared to be the wand that chose the owner. Of course if your child is the Chosen One, you have to purchase that wand or forever be the Unloved One for at least an hour or two. Wands cost about $28.95, and you can pick your own within Dervish and Banges or outside the Owl Post when the store becomes overcrowded. You can select wands that made to look like the one used by Ron, George or Fred Weasley, as well as Hermoine, Harry, Voldemort and Dumbledore, Draco Malfoy and Bealtrix. Let's see if they can perform magic and get rid of these long lines! In fact they do not - Drat!

Dining

The Three Broomsticks (**** Four out of Five) TIP-Don't forget to use your AAA discount!

The only restaurant within the park is the Three Broomsticks. But you can get the famous butterbeer outside from a beverage cart (when we were there the lines were 150 people deep) or at the Hogs Head pub which seemed to be a secret because there was rarely a line there - so we would go there to pick up a beverage. For $8.95 for a cold butterbeer or $9.95 for a frozen butterbeer, you also get a souvenir mug and can get refills for "only" $2.75. You can also get regular beer in a different souvenir mug for $10.95.

As for food the restaurant is the only place to dine. You can only make reservations for a traditional English breakfast, but for lunch or dinner it is first come first served. After waiting in line you are pointed in the direction of a cashier where you order and pay first, then to another line to retrieve your order on a tray and carry it to a table you are escorted to. The restaurant itself does a faithful reproduction to what you see in the movies. The food is what you might expect in any English pub including Shepards Pie and Fish and Chips. You can see the menu to the right. There is also a children's menu that you have to ask for and prices are reasonble, from $4.95 for a Fish (no chips) plate, chicken fingers, turkey leg and mac 'n cheese. In addition to butterbeer, you can also choose from pear juice, pumpkin juice, and Scottish Ale.

Location: Next to Honeydukes sweets shop
When: Doors open when the park opens
What: Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner
How much: lunch/dinner entrees: $7.99 (Cornish pasties)-$49.99 (Great feast for four or more people for $49.99)
How to pay: Cash and major credit cards

Great Deals at 6pm.com

2010-06-17T15:59:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for great deals on sunglasses and footwear look no further than 6pm.com.
They've got Oakley sunglasses at unbelievable prices, amazing shoes for summer from J41, Privo, Clarks, Keen, etc. They also have great prices on athletic wear from Hurley and Nike. Take a peek, I'm sure you'll find something. Thanks GTG Suzanne for the tip!

WIN the Just-Launched HP Photosmart Premium e-All-On-One printer!

2010-06-07T17:16:00.000-07:00

How would you like to win the brand new, web-connected printer from HP - called the HP Photosmart Premium e-All-In-One printer? It's the perfect printer for the on-the-go parent who needs to print out their to-do list, coupons, tickets and have it easily and beautifully printed in the "one-touch" of a button!

Imagine printing your movie tickets from Fandango, maps from Google or Yahoo, coloring pages for your child from Disney and Nickelodeon, recipes and much more! And not just from your PC or laptop, but from any device that can get on the Internet?

Well, here's your chance to win one. Enter your comment after the SVMOMS article and include what printer apps would help you simplify your busy life or would be the most fun for your kids. Contest runs June 7 through midnight June 10th. Good luck!

Crocs!!! $15--Clog or Flip Flop

2010-05-25T07:40:00.000-07:00

Get ready for summer with your favorite shoe--Crocs. Just type in the codes--springfreeship and SLICKDEALS to get your Crocs for only $14.99 and free shipping! This is a deal you won't want to miss. Thanks again to Go to Gal--Suzanne for the tip! Coupon codes are case sensitive.

The XProTeX Batting Glove: 9 out of 10 Rating!

2010-05-19T21:14:00.000-07:00

A new batting glove, called the XProTeX batting glove, is just coming into the market. It combines the grip and comfort players are used to with a higher level of protection against pitches hitting their hands.

The gloves have a flexible layer of an impact-absorbing, rubber-like composite placed strategically where pitches are most likely to hit.

XProTeX representatives say the gloves reduce the impact of a player being hit by a 100 mph pitch to the equivalent of 39 mph, decreasing the chances of significant injury to the hands and wrist. That kind of protection is at least three times higher than what's currently available. Prices range from $35 to $80 for a pair.

The thirteen year-old son if a friend of mine who is currently playing baseball tried this out. He gives these gloves a 9 out of 10. His feedback is as follows: "I used the batting gloves and I have to say they look pretty cool. On the outside it looks like a lot of padding and protection is put into each glove. However the interior of the glove doesn't look so fantastic. The padding is being held by a net that shows the actual padding on the inside. Also my hands are the same size as some of my classmates and my dad, so in other words rather large. If anybody intends on getting these gloves be sure to purchase the right size because my hands would have trouble getting into it. The first time I wore these gloves it was a little snug but it soon stretched out to a more comfortable fit, but it was still hard to wrap around my hands. Protection-wise these gloves can probably endure dozens of hard slides on a rough surface. Also it sort of changed how I bat. I used to bat so that my hands would be on the end of the handle. However the extra padding made a space in-between my hands and the end of the bat. This took a little getting used to but thats just a personal complaint. Altogether I give these gloves a 9.0 out of 10 just because of personal issues with the gloves, however I still use them in all of my current baseball games."

Summer Reading Recommendation - "Beautiful Creatures"

2010-05-16T15:19:00.000-07:00

My teenage daughter has turned me on to a few books in my life, including the entire Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, and the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordon. And most recently, she highly recommended a book by new authors Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl called "Beautiful Creatures". It was great timing when she recommended this book because I just finished the Percy Jackson series. So by the time I was on page 2, I was hooked. It's a wonderful gothic journey taking you through flash backs and memories of the deep south during the civil war era and to present day. This is the first collaborative work by these two authors, and has already been on the best sellers list and is in the process of being make into a movie. It makes a great summer read for the entire family, we give it our two shopping bags of approval!

Check out the contest for the sequel, "Beautiful Darkness". http://castergirls.com/beautiful-darkness-arc-giveaway/

Get Discount Magazines

2010-05-13T06:47:00.000-07:00

Discountmags has a few Magazine Subscriptions on sale. You may purchase multiple years for these per-year prices.

Family Circle $3 with code 4424
Family Fun $3 with code 3746
Entrepreneur $3 with code 9983
Road & Track $4 with code 7188
ESPN $3.50 with code 3287

Alternatively, Tanga has several discounted magazines subscriptions listed below.

Shape Magazine for $2 with code "shape"
Family Circle for $3 with code "family"
Family Fun Magazine for $3 code "family"
Entrepreneur Magazine for $3 code "business"
ESPN Magazine for $3.50 with code "6173"
Road & Track Magazine for $4 with code "road

Free Breakfast at Subway, May 11th Only!!

2010-05-10T12:38:00.000-07:00

Do you have a craving for a tasty egg muffin melt from Subway? Well you're in luck, tomorrow May 11th only, from 7am-10am, drive to your nearest Bay Area Subway restaurant and get your free breakfast. What a treat! No purchase necessary!

Free Music Downloads from People Magazine

2010-04-25T18:42:00.000-07:00

Right now you can download ten hot singles from Country Music's best. Check out the single from Danny Gokey "Crazy Not To" (American Idol Season #8) and Katie Armiger's "Kiss Me Now". I can't say I'm a huge fan of country music, but I do like these two selections.

Click here to link to the free downloads. They could be fun ringtones for your mobile phone! (Like Matt Kennon's "The Call")

Make a Difference | Starbucks Coffee Company

2010-04-13T08:29:00.000-07:00

Make a Difference | Starbucks Coffee Company

On April 15, bring in a reusable travel mug into your local Starbucks and get a free brewed coffee.

40th Anniversary of Earth Day! Celebrate with a Free "Planet Earth" Download on iTunes!

2010-04-11T16:25:00.000-07:00

In celebration of Earth Day’s 40th anniversary, the beloved and award-winning BBC Earth series Planet Earth is now available on iTunes with a special, one-time free episode download (“Pole to Pole”) from April 12 – 26, 2010.

This jaw-dropping, 11-part series from the BBC’s Natural History Unit presents the epic story of life on Earth. Series producer Alastair Fothergill and his team spent four years in production, over 2000 days in the field, using 71 cameramen filming across 204 locations in 62 countries to capture the ultimate portrait of our planet. It has garnered legions of fans and universal critical acclaim with Oprah Magazine saying “It is the most beautiful, wondrous and truly majestic series - the best thing I’ve ever seen on TV.” Using a budget of unprecedented proportions and captured on HD cameras, Planet Earth is among the highest rated and best selling HD programs ever made. It offers stunning visuals perfect for any HD television or HD handheld device like the Apple iPad which launched on April 3rd.

Sports Authority Coupon

2010-04-08T07:11:00.000-07:00

Click here for a 25% off coupon on one single item at Sports Authority. This offer is good Thursday, April 8 through Sunday, April 11.

ThermaTherapy - Bed Buddy Products!

2010-04-07T18:09:00.000-07:00

My husband recently had some major surgery that involved a number of incisions in his abdominal area. While we were in the hospital, the surgical assistant advised us to use heat pads to aid in his recovery and healing time. I was fortunate enough to receive a wonderful ThermaTherapy product called Bed Buddy and we were able to test this to see how it worked.

First of all, what we immediately liked about this product is it is portable and does not require any form of electrical wiring like other typical heating pads that you plug in and switch to varying heat strengths. This is a natural herbal remedy, which you simply put in the microwave, heat for 90 seconds, and it's good to go for about 1 hour.

The fabric is a nice, plush, washable fabric that feels gentle against your skin. In addition to the neck area, there are two-pocket hand warmers. After my husband's operation, since he was not able to move as much as normal, his extremities did not have as much circulation as he normally would so these pocket warmers came in very handy. He was also able to use the Bed Buddy on his abdomin to relieve his surgical pain. We were amazed how easy, portable and effective the ThermaTherapy Bed Buddy product was for our post-surgical needs.

Knowing how effective this was to use, you can imagine how wonderful it would be to use for a ski-trip in the winter, or a water-ski vacation in the summer. After you have all your fun swooshing down those slopes and skirting around the bouys, you can relax your aches and pains with this wonderful and affordable product. You can purchase these at Drugstore.com, and Walmart. Ahh, I'm enjoying it right now after a nice pilates workout!

Shop Whole Foods & Help Cupertino Schools

2010-04-04T21:05:00.000-07:00

Shop at Whole Foods in Cupertino on Tuesday, April 6th -- Whole Foods will donate 5% of net sales at their store on 20955 Stevens Creek Blvd to Their Future is Now! Please tell your friends, family members and neighbors to shop at Whole Foods on April 6th, and stock up on pantry items! No need to bring in any flyers, just show up and shop! All sales from the Stevens Creek store will count towards the Whole Foods contribution.

Michaels - Make Your Own Sale Coupon

2010-03-26T22:00:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love shopping at Michael's? It's the store for all your crafts and projects needs. So take adantage of these great make-your-own-sale coupons.

Williams-Sonoma Easter Sale

2010-03-26T13:39:00.000-07:00

Shop Williams-Sonoma online and save up to 50% on decor, sweet treats, dinnerware and linens.

The Right Way to Store and Peel a Banana

2010-03-22T15:55:00.001-07:00

Who knew that all this time I've been storing and peeling bananas the wrong way. Not only that, but I learned Banana 101 from my mother, so she's been doing it wrong all her life too! I've been a banana failure my whole life....that is until now!

I learned the 411 on bananas from a friend who works as a Senior Executive for the Pampered Chef and knows all types of cooking tips and tricks. Here's how you store a banana, how to open it properly, and how to keep it's current state for a few more days!

First, when you purchase bananas from a store and have a few days before you're going to eat them, select them with a little green in them. That means they are not quite ripe. It will take 2-3 days to ripen. If you want them to ripen faster, you can put them in a brown bag along with an apple and the gases from the apple will help them ripen. And here's a very neat trick, remove each banana from the stalk as separate bananas, and put them back in your fruit bowl or banana contraption, this helps slow their ripening. This will get a couple more days out of each banana before they go brown.

The most interesting thing I learned is I've been opening them wrong all this time. Instead of trying to open them from the stalk side, all you have to do is squeeze the black bottom with your thumb and index finger, which will split the peel. Then peel from what you think is the bottom of the banana. That way, the best part of the banana by the stalk is not damaged. This is the way monkeys open a banana if you've ever observed them at the zoo - or perhaps the silly monkeys at your own home. Check out this video on youtube (and if you have time, check out a "bunch" of videos on youtube "How to Peel a Banana" and you'll be amazed at how many people have taped themselves peeling a banana the right way!

By the way, the other slick trick is when the banana is in the state you want, put it in the refrigerator. The temperature will preserve the level of ripeness of that banana for up to 2 days, even if the peel starts to brown.

Well, I'm going to make like a banana now, and split!

The GAP 30% Discount through March 20th!

2010-03-17T17:57:00.000-07:00

We love the Gap store. They have great quality clothes which are so comfortable, you feel like you're in your PJs! And the best thing about the Gap this week is a 30% off coupon, good on anything in the store including sale items. This coupon can also be used at Banana Republic and Old Navy, and you can use it repeatedly throughout the next four days!! Yipee!

Click here to get your printable coupon!

Get Your Work-Out Wardrobe at Lucy!

2010-03-09T21:38:00.000-08:00

Lucy is having a fantastic sale. Hurry before sizes and styles run out. You'll find great items that will keep you looking stylish while you get fit!

Rethink What Matters: Rethink your MUST HAVES

2010-02-26T11:00:00.000-08:00

We are nearing the end of the "Rethink What Matters" campaign. This week the theme is, "Rethink your MUST HAVES". This is an excellent concept to help you get your priorities straight. Rethink the "bare essentials" in life, getting rid of extraneous items or even those so called "friends" who weigh you down with negativity and pessimism. Time is limited, make the most of what matters.

Link to the quiz, and you could become an instant winner! Last week I took the quiz and instantly won the smokey eye kit!! I can't wait to try it out. My blogging partner and I love the Bare Escentuals product, very light, very natural and tres magnifique!

Kate Spade Sample Sale--Ends Today!!

2010-02-25T14:16:00.000-08:00

Oooh, there is another Kate Spade Sample Sale going on now. I mean right now. If any of these delightful handbags interest you, you gotta buy it NOW. The sale ends TODAY!!!

I'm sooooo tempted to buy this cute little cream bag pictured here. Don't you think it would work for spring? And it is a great deal!

Wordless Wednesday--Yummy Strawberries

2010-02-24T17:32:00.000-08:00

Buy one get one free at Safeway--Delish!

Mmmmm Salad!

2010-02-23T07:25:00.001-08:00

If you are someone who enjoys a salad with every meal, then you should check out this Fresh Express coupon that is good throughout the end of the year. Just print it as you need it and save a $1.50 on any bag of Fresh Express greens. Click here for the coupon!

This Week's RETHINK WHAT MATTERS: Public Displays of Affection

2010-02-12T09:17:00.000-08:00

With Valentine's Day upon us, and love and affection abounding, it's time to rethink public displays of affection. When you were a tad younger, and perhaps before kids, did you and your partner freely display your affection for one another, only to tone it down after you got married and daily life and screaming babies become the norm?

How many of you have a regular "Date Night" with your husband? How many of you feel that it is important to get away from the tedium of being a mom, employee and get out and have a nice evening with your honey, if even to grab a cup of coffee at the corner cafe to unwind and get in sync?

At Bare Escentuals, they have a wonderful new campaign to get you and your friends thinking about freedom, going 'bare' in public, rethinking what really matters. Link to the RETHINK WHAT MATTERS site and take their quiz and see how your answers compare. Then enter the weekly drawing where you could be an instant winner. We'll have a drawing in the next week for a wonderful Bare Escentuals Foundation Kit, and hopefully capture a podcast of the delivery to the lucky winner. Stay Tuned, and most of all - enter the contest, you could be a lucky winner!

Love Is All Around--Cirque Du Soleil in San Jose

2010-02-09T15:14:00.000-08:00

Take advantage of a Valentine's Day special where you can buy one ticket and get one free to see Cirque Du Soliel's OVO show in San Jose--now showing under the big top at the Taylor Street bridge. This offer expires February 14, 2010.

I was fortunate enough to receive tickets from the generous people at Cirque Du Soliel and SVMoms Group and saw the show last week at their San Jose opening night. My husband and I stepped out of the pouring rain and under the big top where we were whisked away into a fantasy world full of colorful insects and enormous flowers.

The acts were similar to other Cirque Du Soliel's shows and as always were amazing!

From little ants juggling kiwi and corn (and each other):

To 20 artists, jumping, walking across and and straight up a 8m wall (my husband's favorite act):

This show had us on the edge of our seats!

Oh and the music was wonderful--a live band and singer accompanied the acts. It really was a fantastic treat--one that the entire family would love!

Rethink What Matters: Part II (Running on Fridays)

2010-02-05T20:52:00.000-08:00

Hi readers!! Bare Essentuals and their new campaign, "Rethink What Matters" invites women nationwide to shake up their foundation and sound off on topics that are more than just skin-deep – from going bare in public to discussing what freedom really feels like.

Born from employees rethinking makeup itself – the beauty brand found looking good is not about using gobs of make-up to cover your flaws, but about enhancing what you’ve got and what makes you unique. In keeping with their 'wink-wink' approach to marketing (Love Matte Campaign), Bare Escentuals will be unveiling thought-provoking taglines to help start honest conversations amongst girlfriends about what really matters. For instance, one reads “Rethink Going Bare in Public. BareMineral’s SPF15 Foundation feels completely weightless, but gives you all the flawless coverage you need. Like you are wearing nothing at all.”

Bare Escentuals invites us to give rethinking a try, too. Every week at RethinkWhatMatters.com, a new discussion topic will be featured with five questions for all to answer, share with their friends and have the chance win free products and other fantastic goodies. New topics and products will be featured weekly, posted each Friday. This Friday the new campaign is "Rethink the Need to Find Yourself".

Send us an email to blog.tina@yahoo.com and your name will be entered in the drawing for a fantastic minerals foundation kit. GoToGals gives the Bare Essentuals products our TWO SHOPPING BAGs Seal of Approval!

Drawing to be held on March 5th. You are sure to LOVE these products!

Hey, and check out our cool bags from Pier One below!

Go Green in Style

2010-02-04T11:46:00.000-08:00

Look how cute these re-usable bags are from Pier 1! I stopped by the store on Prospect Ave. and picked up nearly a dozen of these stylish bags for 68 Cents each!

They are usually only $2.99 but because they are changing designs, they have these patterns on sale for bargain basement prices. The bags hold a lot--the bird bag pictured is chock full of groceries that would have normally filled up 5-6 plastic bags.

These also make great gift bags--thanks Go to Gal Suzanne for that idea!

Run don't walk to Pier 1 to pick up these stylish, earth friendly bags before they disappear.

Could you go Bare in Public?

2010-01-28T16:46:00.000-08:00

I hope our blog title caught your eye. What this is in reference to is a new beauty campaign by Bare Escentuals, known for being one of the first major cosmetic companies to dominate their products with minerals. Mineral makeup has been around since Cleopatra, but it reimerged after years of cosmetic companies using synthetic and, at times, carcinogenic ingredients tested on animals in the process. So mineral make-up is getting back to basics. Something we at GoToGals love. Over the next few Friday's through March, we'll be adding new questions and information here, so keep looking back for more news!

The Bare Escentuals campaign is all about hanging out with your girlfriends and having fun! The campaign starts with questions to make you "Rethink What Matters" and about rethinking what matters most.

We’re looking forward to seeing what you’ll be “rethinking”—and we have a feeling it’s going to spark some great discussions. We hope you connect with the Rethink What Matters website, take the quiz and have fun thinking about things in a different light. Also, we are giving away some great prizes during the next few weeks, and at the end of this campaign the grand prize winner could be one of our readers. At the end of March, the grand prize is a trip of a lifetime where the winner will get to choose their destination. Where will you go if you're that winner? So link here to Rethink What Matters, take the quiz and enter your name for the chance to win some fabulous prizes. We hope you are our grand prize winner! Questions? Send them to blog.tina@yahoo.com.

A Wicked Deal!

2010-01-26T10:10:00.000-08:00

If you have not seen Wicked, now is your chance to see it and save. Get up to $30 off when you buy your tickets through Ticketmaster using the code 26GOOD or at Goldstar.

We saw it earlier this month and LOVED it. Read about our recent trip to OZ here.

Contest! Beautiful Keychains in time for Valentines!

2010-01-22T17:30:00.000-08:00

How many of you have beat up keychains that you've had for years, that are worn out, cluttered and not too pretty? Well here's your chance to enter a contest for a beautiful keychain such as the one pictured to the left. Go To Gals has three beautiful key chains for three lucky winners! These keychains have been provided by http://www.wholesalekeychain.com/ and if you would like to get a 10% discount, please go to the link above, enter code vday2010, it expires February 16, 2010.

I was given the one pictured here since my business partner and I take photos for a living and live to take photos! So this was a very appropriate one for us to choose. It is extremely beautiful, has room for two photos, and closes with a magnetic latch. Isn't it time you updated your keychain and had some updated photos to include? Now when your friends ask how your kids are doing, what your pet dog looks like, how much hair your husband still has, you can just whip out your classy keychain and show them a new photo. Your friends will be so impressed, they'll ask you where you got the keychain! Our contest runs from January 22 through February 14th, Valentine's Day.

To enter, email us at blog.tina@yahoo.com and tell us why you'd like to update your current ugly keychain with one from the choices below. We'll even include engraving if you'd like to have your initials (except for the crystal keychain). We will pick three entries out of a box and if you're a winner, we'll contact you to determine your selection from the choiced below, and we'll let you know how many characters you can engrave. The keychains include:

Broken Heart Keychain
Photo Frame Keychain (pictured above)
Metal Heart Keychain
Crystal Heart Keychain (not engraveable)
Heart Keychain Charm

Good luck - you may be one of our lucky winners who gets to update their keychain wardrobe!!

Timex iControl Ironman Watch--with iPod Control

2010-01-19T12:23:00.000-08:00

If you are training for an Ironman this spring (or even if you are not), here is a nifty little watch that will allow you to run and listen to your favorite tunes. Using an RF transmitter, it allows you to control the basic functions of your iPod, allowing you to keep your iPod neatly tucked away in your pocket. Other features include a day, date, and month calendar, a countdown timer, a 50-lap memory function, a chronograph, two interval timers, and more.

It's Woot's deal of the day so if you want one you need to act now. It is just $22.99 plus $5 shipping.

Check out this great in-store deal from Staples on Get 50% back in Staples Rewards® on office supplies in Santa Clara, CA

2010-01-19T10:15:00.000-08:00

Check out this great in-store deal from Staples on Get 50% back in Staples Rewards® on office supplies in Santa Clara, CA

UGGS on Sale!

2010-01-18T09:40:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a pair of UGGS, now is your chance to get them for a great price. Click on over to Neiman Marcus to see a great selection of stylish UGGS!

Hands Free-MEANS Hands-Free

2010-01-12T16:13:00.000-08:00

Police are cracking down with regard to California's Cell Phone Law (currently 7 states have cell phone laws). One of our regular Go to Gals was caught last week breaking this law--and she wasn't talking with her phone up to her ear. She was using the speaker feature and had the phone held low in her lap. Unfortunately, not low enough for she was spotted by a local policeman and fined $140.00. So beware, hands free means HANDS FREE.

On that note, I am very happy with the Jabra Cruiser. It is an in car speaker phone that works great. I've had mine for 2 months (given to me at the SVMoms Holiday Blogger event) and I have yet to recharge it. The sound quality is good but can be a bit scratchy, but overall it works well (I think most hands free devices have occasional sound issues which may be due to cellular coverage).

And remember for the past year California has also had a No Text law where writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication while driving is also against the law.

For the Love of Staples!

2010-01-07T18:15:00.000-08:00

Who knew shopping at Staples could be so much fun? A few months ago, a new Staples store opened in my area (off of Stevens Creek Boulevard in Cupertino, California). I started a new company last year with my fellow blogging partner so our business requires a few office supplies. But it turns out my children love shopping there and looking for bargains and fun items for school.

I joined the Staples Rewards program, which adds points to your membership for the dollars you spend. But, you can also rack up to $30 in reward money by simply turning in your used laser and ink cartridges to the store on a quarterly basis. It's not hard to save those empty ink cartridges, and those reward points start accumulating!

This week at Staples, there are a number of FREE items including up to 4 Avery Heavy-Duty View Binders (you will get 100% of your money back in reward money), FREE Scotch Pop-Up Desk Grip Tape, and FREE Pentel Hyper G Retractable Gel Pens. Some of these items you pay for up front, but you simply go to the Staples Easy Rebate website and enter them in quickly and painlessly. Doing it this way rather than mailing them in is faster, easier and you get your rebate check in the mail sooner.

My partner and I are in the photography business, and supplies including CD/DVD jewel cases, DVD-Rs, CD-Rs, envelopes, mailers, labels, photo paper are all available. For my children, they get all sorts of school supplies.

All I can say is, "That was Easy!"

Our Blogs

2010-01-05T18:52:00.000-08:00

As Go to Gals, we like to go many places and blog about our many interests. We have a parenting blog--Parent Grapevine (where we blog about the sweet and sour side of parenting) and a photography blog--Moms Who Click (where we blog about the photography business we are building, one click at a time).

We'd love to have you join us on the vine or if you enjoy photography, stop by Moms Who Click and share a photo (or two) and tell us about what you like to click.

PR-Get Reviewed

2010-01-01T17:48:00.000-08:00

We are happy to review your products or services. We have worked with many PR agencies and companies. We love promoting great products and services to our readers.

We have 7 kids between us ages 9-18 (3 boys and 4 girls). We only post reviews on products or services we have personally tested. If you are interested in having us review a product, please contact us at blog(dot)tina(at)yahoo(dot)com.

WowWee: Cinemin Swivel!

2009-12-22T15:01:00.000-08:00

It's not often a new product makes a big splash at our house. My kids are so jaded when it comes to electronics since they each have access to an iPod, laptop computer, Wii, and DS. But when the new WowWee Cinemin Swivel arrived at our home, it was an astonishingly huge hit.

When it arrived, my 14-year old daughter was the first to open it up. With barely a glance at the instructions, she had it charging up. After about 3 hours of charging straight out-of-the-box, it was ready to go.

First of all, let me explain what the Cinemin Swivel is: It is a multi-media projector for your handheld device like an iPhone or iPod Touch, and even your laptop with a few added accessories. Size-wise, imagine the size of a small handheld flashlight, or a large candy bar, this amazing little device is what is called a "Multimedia Pico Projector". At a mere 172 grams, this pico projector delivers HVGA (480x320 resolution). HVGA stands for "half-size" VGA resolution, and other devices that use this include the iPhone, Palm Pre and Blackberry Bold 9000. The Cinemin Swivel is designed by WowWee Technologies and is powered by Texas Instruments DLP technology. It has a unique adjustable 90-degree hinge for ceiling projection, but your imagination is the limit to where you can project it. Think camping and projecting it on the side of your tent, or outdoors by the swimming pool against a white sheet hanging by a clothes line.

We only have one TV in our home, that is a rare thing these days. So when this arrived, we set it up in my office where I handle all of my photography work. This is the perfect device to show clients our work and to show the occassional slide show. But it was impressive showing a movie my daughter saved on her iPod Touch. She played "Iron Man" and it was really impressive with a great resolution and clarity, and about a 60-inch display. There is a built in sound system, but I would prefer a more robust audio system which shouldn't be too hard to configure. Using my photography backdrop stand, we set up a white backdrop and displayed the show against it. It was perfect.

Currently one of the best places to get this on line is at Brookstone.com or Amazon.com - for $299.95. The Cinemin Swivel is an in-demand gift for the holidays, so don't be caught short - get yours today!

Link here for more information on the WowWee Cinemin Swivel.

2 Days Only Pottery Barn Sale

2009-12-19T10:50:00.000-08:00

UGGS for Sale!

2009-12-18T17:17:00.000-08:00

While you still can, catch the great UGG sale NOW! Up to 30% off plus FREE SHIPPING!

Losing my Sacks Sucks!

2009-12-18T16:36:00.000-08:00

OK, I have to admit, when I lose something it's not a good thing. I think about for days. I have to think about where I lost it, what was going on at the time, and why did I do that? It's not about the money, the item (well, it is about the item), or the wanting it back (well, it is about that, too). It's how did that happen, why wasn't someone honest enough to bring it to lost and found, if possible?

About a month ago, while shopping for groceries, I left my entire purse in the grocery cart. I could not believe I did something like that. Fortunately I discovered my loss within minutes and rushed back to the store to see if anyone turned it in to "Lost and Found". Fortunately a grocery clerk found the handbag in my cart when they collected the carts from outside to return to their pen. They saw the relief on my face since my wallet, phone, extra keys were all in there. Thank goodness someone turned that in and I retrieved it soon after my discovery.

But more recently, I lost a wonderful gift I received at the SVMOMS Holiday Party. It was the Olive Smart Half Sacks. As soon as I got them in November, I started using them right away. I've always brought my own canvas bags with me whenever I shop, I hate to collect unnecessary plastic or paper bags. So when I got these wonderful Olive Smart Half Sacks, in their own little pouch that is designed to fit in the cup holder of your car, I was thrilled to use them right away and loved their convenient design. Whenever I took them out for the grocery bagger, they always remarked how nice they were, and I felt great about doing my part and saving the environment. The typical family probably uses 12 or more plastic or paper bags a week from everyday shopping. That's at least 624 bags saved a year! Plus, at Target and Safeway, you get a few cents back for every bag you use. That can add up to $30.00 or so, which is nice chump change. Not bad for doing something so easy.

In any case, I lost my precious Olive Smart Sacks when I was shopping at Target. During the holiday rush of getting gifts, I tossed the Olive Smart Sacks in the shopping cart and forgot all about them. I did not end up buying much at Target and therefore did not need the bags and left them in the cart. I realized this soon after, but a very lucky shopper must have noticed them and now has their own set of beautiful bags to use. My loss is someone else's gain. I sure hope they are enjoying using them.

Lesson learned? Write your name on the pouch with a Sharpie. Or add a carabiner to the drawstring of the pouch to clip to your handbag. It will save you from losing something that you'll truly miss if you're like me, someone who does their daily part saving plastic after paper bag, and enjoying the rich look and feel of these Olive Smart Sacks instead of the various canvas bags with nerdy logos all over them that I've collected from too many trade shows over the years.

Time to go on line and purchase some more! The best part is, they're on sale. Six for $29.99 (they were $39) or three for $17.99 (they are usually $29). Shop for your Olive Smart Bags here.

Get 30% Off Leap Frog Products

2009-12-15T07:26:00.000-08:00

Get 30% off at Leap Frog sitewide with the promo code MERRY10. The sale ends today, December 15.

Cool Gifts at Dillon Rogers

2009-12-10T20:37:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a unique gift for someone special this holiday season than click on over to Dillon Rogers. Dillon Rogers has fantastic personalized accessories that will make you feel like you are part of the hip and stylish crowd. Their cool bracelets and necklaces have been seen on many of Hollywood's hottest celebrities.

After seeing samples (and receiving a cute leather bracelet) at the SVMOMs blogger event, I ordered my niece a cornflower blue initial necklace like the ones shown above. It arrived today and it is super cute! I'm sure it will appeal to her tomboy sense of style and that she will love it.

You can also find these lovely keepsake necklaces that any mom will love (see pic below). I may need to drop a hint to my husband that I'd like one with all of my kids names (sterling silver please).

And we are happy to let you know that Dillon Rogers is offering a special discount to our readers. Receive 15% off your order with the code SIMPLE. So check it out and see what you think. I'm sure you'll find something for your loved ones (or yourself!).

Progresso High Fiber Soups!

2009-12-09T19:04:00.000-08:00

If you are in a quandry about what to make for dinner, try this new, good-for-you, easy-to-make soup by Progresso. Progresso has long been know for their heart healthy soups, but now they have joined the high fiber arena with mouth watering soups. I love how convenient they are and the wide selection of soups. Pick up some sour dough bread, make a quick easy salad and you have a nice dinner on a cold winter night. Plus, get a coupon for these soups. Click on the Betty Crocker coupon site for some discounts on all of their product including the soup!

A Great Gadget to Add to Your Holiday Shopping List

2009-12-08T21:01:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a terrific gift for the person who loves to cook, have I got an idea for you...The Bosch Mixxo. This sleek, lightweight cordless hand blender does everything from mixing up a smoothie to chopping onions.

It is simple to use and has become my 12 year old son's favorite kitchen tool. He loves making smoothies and has been making them with ease. And I feel comfortable letting him use this gadget because of its safety feature. It only turns on when both buttons are pushed (which can seem awkward at first) but you can let go of the safety button once the unit is running.

So far, I've used the Mixxo to puree soup and whip cream and love the fact that when I did make the whipped cream that the container came with a lid allowing me to store the unused portion.

The smoothie shown here was a clementine, banana---mmmmm tasty!

The Mixxo is very easy to clean as every part except for the hand piece can go in the dishwasher. As far as storage goes, I keep mine on the counter but it can be mounted on the wall.

This is a Christmas, wedding or housewarming gift that is sure to please.

Disclaimer: I was fortunate to receive the Mixxo to try out and review. I did not get paid for this post nor do I feel obligated to write nice things about the Mixxo. I really like it and hope that you will too. Go to Gals nor the author can be held liable for any dissatisfaction you may have with any of the products we review.

Curious George A Very Monkey Christmas Giveaway

2009-12-08T20:30:00.000-08:00

As we mentioned in November, we received a preview copy of Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas when we attended the Silicon Valley Moms Blog Holiday Party. Our kids watched the movie and really enjoyed it and we are excited to be giving away two new DVDs of this movie.

To enter our contest, let us know what your favorite holiday program/movie is by leaving a comment below and we will randomly choose two winners on Sunday, December 13.

Free Clementines! When you spend $25 at Safeway December 8th only!

2009-12-07T16:45:00.000-08:00

I tend to mix up my grocery shopping between Safeway, Whole Foods, Trader Joes and Gene's. There are items that these stores carry that our family loves to eat, and so I go from store to store to stock up on those items.

Tomorrow at Safeway (December 8th, Tuesday), there is a great coupon offer for free Clementines! To get the coupon, you can clip it, or there is a brand new feature on safeway.com where you can load up all your coupons onto your club card so you don't have to mess with the hassel of cutting and forgetting them in a pile of paperwork at home. If you don't know your club card number, which I didn't since I use my phone number when checking out, you can call Safeway's phone number at 877-723-3929 to request your club card number. Once you have that, link to the Safeway Coupon Link to load up your digital coupons to your club card. It's fast, it's easy and convenient!

Getting Our Christmas Craft On

2009-12-06T11:59:00.000-08:00

This week I had a few friends over for a morning of crafting (I do this every year with 4 or 5 friends). In the past we've decorated ornaments, beaded candled holders, etched glass, made flower arrangements, etc. It is always a fun way to kick off the holiday season.

This year the project....Christmas garlands. Our inspiration was our local florist who sells beautiful Christmas decorations for a hefty price tag. They have some lovely garlands but we knew we could make them for a fraction of the cost. I had actually been there last year with my mom (the queen of craft) and she was the one who said "those would be so easy to make." And she was right!

Using silk poinsettias, glittering foliage, silver & gold ornaments, and an inexpensive garland (just $2.99) the ladies got to work (all the supplies were purchased at Michaels for under $150.00) and look at the wonderful creations we made (5 garlands to be exact plus a bunch of leftover supplies)!

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas

2009-11-25T21:21:00.000-08:00

My children and a few of their good friends had the wonderful opportunity to prescreen a PBS TV Special that will air throughout the month of December and for holiday seasons to come. The cartoon special is from the classic Curious George series, and is titled, "Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas". By linking to PBS Kids online, you can even find the video to view on your computer.

The story of Curious George was created by Hans Augusta Rey and his wife Margret. Hans Augusta, also known as H.A., was primarily the illustrator and Margret was primarily the writer. Their story is an amazing adventure in itself. Both H.A. and Margret were originally from Germany but met in Brazil. Margret's family moved there to escape Nazism. The two eventually married, and soon after moved to Paris where H.A.'s animal artwork was discovered and caught the attention of a French publisher.

The result of their work grew into the idea for Curious George. But while they were in Paris the war raged on. And literally, hours before its fall to the Germans, H.A. built two bicycles and the two fled Paris. Among their few possessions were their Curious George works. Their escape took them to the Spanish border, then to London and back to Brazil. But they did not stop there, they eventually made their way to America and settled in New York city where Curious George was published by Houghton Mifflin. Their books became an instant success and they published more in the series.

And now we are fortunate to benefit from these wonderful children's stories that the whole family can enjoy. The TV special, airing on PBS, includes engaging songs your children will love and will have you humming as you cook your holiday dinner. The repeated airings on PBS will allow the children to memorize these wonderful songs. Younger children love seeing these shows over and over to memorize and become fully immersed in the story.

It's soon to become one of your family's holiday classics.

We give it a two thumbs up!

*Photo courtesy of pbskids.org

Old Navy--Gobble Palooza

2009-11-25T20:32:00.000-08:00

Get ready to gobble up the savings at Old Navy's Gobble Palooza. They will have rockin deals Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Friday only get adult jeans for $15 and kids for only $10! Performance fleece tops for the whole family are also only $5 (Friday only). If you really want to get a jump on the savings, just set your alarm EARLY because they open at 3 AM on Friday!

Get a Jump on Leap Frog Black Friday Savings!

2009-11-24T14:23:00.001-08:00

Leap Frog is offering Black Friday savings starting tonight at 10 p.m. Get a jump on your Christmas shopping with these great deals:

BLACK FRIDAY / CYBER MONDAY DEALS, STARTING 10 PM PST TONIGHT!
· 25% to 75% off sitewide
· Select Leapster games as low as $5
· Select Tag Books as low as $5
· Up to 75% off on our gift packs
· Spend $50, get free shipping
· Black Friday Bonus, Spend $100, get $10 off

Swag-a-licious ala SVMOMS.COM

2009-11-22T13:00:00.000-08:00

My partner blogged on our sister site, ParentGrapevine, about our recent invitation to a wonderful networking and holiday party hosted by SVMOMS and made possible by numerous sponsors including Nintendo, Hewlett-Packard, Olive Smart, Bosch, GM and a host of other companies. For a complete list of the companies we got to meet with, chat it up with and obtain wonderful products to test and review, check out the SV Moms Group Holiday Coupon and Product Guide. You can even enjoy some discount coupons by clicking on the link above.

There were a few standout products that my family enjoyed immediately. In no particular order, but widely appealing to them is the new Nintendo Wii Fit Plus game, which expands upon our Wii Fit that we purchased last Christmas and have enjoyed as a family. Even my 82 year old mother has been able to bowl and balance with the grandkids. Wii Fit Plus has some fun activities that really help you build up a sweat and get a nice little work out in. While you did have a personal trainer with the original Wii Fit, you now have a more customizable trainer and fitness plan including a calorie counter and "METS", a new feature that tells you how many calories you can burn depending on the activity you choose. There is also a new "Fit Credit" which charts out and displays your credits for the length of time you spend on a particular activity. There's also a "Favorites" section that lists your last 10 selections you played. Needless to say, my daughters are Nintendo junkies. In addition to Wii Fit Plus, they thoroughly enjoy the Harry Potter games which enable you to pretend you can be a wizard wonder and pal around with Harry and Hermoine.

The next product I used immediately were the Olive Smart reusable sacks that slip easily in your purse so you never forget to have them on hand when grocery shopping. They are made of supplex nylon, which are durable, and can hold 20% more than a standard plastic grocery bag. They are designed to fit in your car cup holder so you never forget to bring them when you go shopping. Mine fit easily in my handbag. They come in a variety of colors and besides helping the environment every time you shop (which can account for a dozen or more bags a week), you can also get cash back if you ask for it at stores like Target and Safeway. Those stores give between three cents to a nickel per bag you bring. It adds up and usually I just drop those extra pennies into the donation bucket they have at the store.

The next item I have enjoyed are the Marie Veronique Organic products. We each got a nice bag filled with some of her favorite products including Repair Serum, for deep hydration. I dab a tiny amount under my eyes and it provides a nice moisture seal for the rest of the day. We also got a small bottle of Complexion Lightener, which I'm trying but have not seen immediate results yet. With my Asian skin I tend to get sun spots, known as hyperpigmentation. I'll see if this helps lighten them a bit. It does say it takes two weeks for affects to be visible, I have not used it that long yet. But if not, the Creme de Soleil Tinted is a very nice moisturizer with a slight tint to hide those noticable sun spots, provides a sun screen and leaves a nice glow to the skin. All her products use only the best ingredients, ones that are known not to harm, and where possible, are natural, and from local resources.

My blogging partner and I also got free tickets to see Wicked, a play we've both been wanting to see at the Orpheum Theater in San Francisco. We're lucky enough to live near a city that has been playing Wicked to packed houses ever since it came out. Wicked is the spellbinding, untold story of the two witches from the Wizard of Oz, before Dorothy's time. Tickets are available on line, and if you have a large group of 20 or more take advantage of the group discount. We can't wait to see it, we'll tell you more after we do!

Stay tuned as we write about our screening of the Curious George holiday special on local PBS stations. We're going to have a movie party in the coming week to get the reaction from our neighborhood children, courtesy of PBS Kids and 360 Public Relations.

Check back as we write about more of wonderful SVMOMS.COM swag in the coming weeks!

COFFEE-MATE® - Make Every Cup Count.

2009-11-20T15:32:00.000-08:00

Coffee-Mate has a wonderful program going on right now that we encourage you to participate in. As we all know, a few words of encouragement can go a long way--it is something that can really boost your confidence. The Send a Cup Of Confidence program is a way for you to inspire a Dress For Success Client who is trying to land a job that might possibly change her life. Please take a few minutes to send a quick inspirational note and Coffee-Mate will donate .50 cents to Dress For Success. Your note will be given to a woman who visits Dress For Success for inspiration and motivation.

So go ahead and click this link and send your message of encouragement and hope! COFFEE-MATE® - Make Every Cup Count.

A Deal You'll Want to Gobble Up!

2009-11-18T22:24:00.000-08:00

Safeway has a great promotion going on this week to help you get ready for your big Thanksgiving feast. Spend $200 online and get free delivery AND a free turkey! Thanks again, Go to Gal Suzanne!

Oakley Sunglasses for a Steal!

2009-11-14T09:01:00.000-08:00

If you are in need of new sunglasses or just want an extra back up pair, now is the time to buy. Check out 6pm.com's sale on fashionable Oakley sunglasses. You'll keep those peepers protected and look stylish at the same time!

Thanks Go to Gal Suzanne for the great find!

Coffee for You and Me

2009-11-13T20:53:00.000-08:00

Enjoy a free beverage when you buy one for a friend at Peets. Now through November 22. Click here for the coupon.

It's On--The Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale!

2009-11-06T07:13:00.000-08:00

For those of you who love Nordstrom, this is a friendly reminder that their Half Yearly Sale is ON! Run, don't walk to everyone's favorite department store to get great deals on your favorite brands. Sale ends November 15, 2009.

Get Lucky!

2009-11-03T12:24:00.001-08:00

Shop today only and get $35 off your purchase of $100 or more at Lucky. Get a jump on your holiday shopping and save!

New! Michaels Reward Card

2009-10-21T21:17:00.000-07:00

Check out the great Halloween ideas at Michaels, and while you're at it, link here to find the latest ad and maybe some coupons!

Old Navy Anniversary Sale!

2009-10-12T20:05:00.000-07:00

Old Navy is having a great anniversary sale. In honor of their 15th anniversary, slews of items are $15 or less. Both on-line and in store you can find loads of great sales and savings! Check it out!

More Cheap Eats!

2009-10-10T07:14:00.001-07:00

Restaurant.com is running another terrific promotion. Get 80% off their gift certificates to many restaurants throughout the Bay Area. Just enter the discount code FOUR.

iPhone/iPod Chargers only $9.99

2009-10-06T13:55:00.001-07:00

Is your phone running on empty? Does your iPod need some juice to keep the tunes flowing? Here is a great deal to keep your gadgets charged. Go to Gal Suzanne is a big fan and wants us to spread the word on this handy gadget. Visit Woot to order your charger now. This great deal ends TODAY.

Loehman's Coupon

2009-10-06T13:49:00.000-07:00

Hurry into Loehman's and get an extra 20% off their clearance items.