If you like peeking into the world of the rich and famous, you'll like Alex Witchel’s newest novel, The Spare Wife.
The Spare Wife takes its readers into the world of socialites in Manhattan with a story full of secrets, affairs, fancy parties, and high society life. The story follows a single, divorced Ponce Morris, known as "the spare wife,". She navigates this world with such ease, managing the lives of the powerful couples around her with grace. "She watches football with Stan Crandall, while Bitsy reads magazines in bed and thanks God she doesn’t have to; she plays golf with George Stein, because Carol only likes tennis; and not only does she go to Knicks games with Larry DeLynn but she lets him eat as many hot dogs as he wants and never tells Lila, who forbids him to have nitrates." Not only that – she also goes shopping with the wives, making her the perfect, non-threatening companion for everyone– until a young reporter suspects that she’s having an affair with the city’s most successful (and married) doctor.
This book is intriguing and witty, and indeed an entertaining escape into the world of men and women who are appearance-conscious, vain and rich.. a world many of us may not really experience in real life. Although I am not really into this type of story line, this book could be a good one to pick up for a weekend read or while on a road trip.
The Spare Wife is now available on Amazon and other major book retailers.
Thanks to Mother Talk for providing me a copy of this book for review.
** ~~~~~~ CURRENT REVIEWS, DEALS, FREEBIES AND GIVEAWAYS ~~~~~~ **
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Book Review: The Spare Wife by Alex Witchel
Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches
One of the best things about summer is that we can all do some of our favorite activities again like going to the beach or pool, grilling on the barbeque, having a picnic, and of course, enjoying ice cream. In my family, eating ice cream is one major favorite activity. Good thing, there are now low-fat options that provide a cool treat any time of the year.
Have you all heard about Skinny Cow's low-fat ice cream sandwiches? Mmmm..they're so yummy and they're actually made to help you achieve a healthy lifestyle- while enjoying ice cream!
Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches only has 150 calories and 2 grams of fat, so we don't have to feel guilty about reaching for them into the freezer to snack on. The light and creamy frozen treats come in seven different flavors, including cookies 'n cream (my most favorite!), chocolate peanut butter, and mint, which are not only indulgent but remind us of carefree summer days. Not to mention, these sandwiches taste anything but low fat!
Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches are now available at your local grocery stores nationwide!
*This post is brought to you by Mom Central
Saturday, May 30, 2009
| Match these sultry smoky eyes to their celeb owner |
 We sure do love a good smoky eye. These celebs in particular nailed the classic yet exotic look in a variety of colors, showing both how beautiful and seductive a dramatic eye can be. See if you identify whose looks belong to whom by playing our match-up game. |
Friday, May 29, 2009
Yo Gabba Gabba! New Friends! DVD- Review and Giveaway
My little boys absolutely love the popular preschool Nickelodeon TV show Yo Gabba Gabba! So I was thrilled to receive a review copy of their newest DVD episode, Yo Gabba Gabba! New Friends!
Here's my take on this DVD:
I can definitely say that my boys were very much entertained with this DVD. They were giggling and clapping their hands the whole time we watched it. Not once the first time, but four times in a row, LOL.
Yo Gabba Gabba! New Friends! is wonderfully hilarious with the regular Yo Gabba Gabba cast dancing and singing playfully with the funny man himself, Jack Black. I mean, who doesn't like Jack Black? I've watched most of his movies and he's definitely one of my top favorite comedians! :D
In Yo Gabba Gabba! New Friends!, Jack Black joins the whole Yo Gabba Gabba cast to teach valuable life lessons and universal experiences in the lives of preschoolers. Life lessons such as don't bite your friends, teamwork, like fish, etcetera- in a comical, musical way. I also like the way DJ Lance Rock hosted the show. Very effective in bringing to life four friendly monsters and one robot in this very colorful episode that's full of music, dancing and laughter. Yo Gabba Gabba!: New Friends! which features 4 new-to-DVD episodes, is definitely a show to watch for that will teach children to handle emotions and social situations through fun dancing and games. This is one darn good show aimed for kids that even adults will enjoy!
The whole family absolutely loves this DVD that I'm rating it five stars! :D
Yo Gabba Gabba! New Friends! is now available on Amazon and on sale for $11.99! Cheap price for a half hour of wholesome and fun family entertainment!
Also if you want to check out previews of this and other Yo Gabba Gabba! DVDs, go visit the official Yo Gabba Gabba! YouTube channel.
*And good news, I have one copy of Yo Gabba Gabba! New Friends! to give away to one of you, my dear HMP readers!
Please don't forget to read the contest rules very carefully before leaving your comment. ONLY ONE (1) COMMENT PER ENTRANT IS PERMITTED.
*CONTEST RULES: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE LEAVING YOUR COMMENT.
ONLY ONE (1) COMMENT PER ENTRANT, PER CONTEST IS ALLOWED. PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND ANY EXTRA ENTRY CREDITS YOU'VE DONE IN YOUR COMMENT. If for some reason you forgot to add a detail on your first comment, you can delete it by using the "trash can" icon beside your comment, then re-enter your new comment with the details you want included. This way, I am able to track the real number of entrants for each contest. I regret to inform you that if you enter multiple comments, you will automatically be disqualified from the contest.
*To enter this contest, leave a comment by Friday, June 5th at 12MN, EST. OPEN TO U.S. and Canada RESIDENTS ONLY. ONLY ONE (1) COMMENT PER ENTRANT IS PERMITTED. Non-bloggers are always welcome to enter. I will pick TWO(2) WNNERS using Random.org. The winners will be notified via email or you can check the winner announcement via Prizey.Fetch. You can also choose to enter the name or nickname you use to enter this contest while you're there.
Want to earn EXTRA CREDITS? Contest entrants will each win one(1) extra credit by doing the following:
1. Mention this contest in a post on your blog with a direct link to www.hipmamasplace.com
2. Add the Hip Mama's Place badge on your blog sidebar. You can find the badge code on the top right hand of the HMP main page and paste it on an HTML page on your sidebar.
3. Subscribe to Hip Mama's Place via the FEED READER or by EMAIL.
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If you do all six (6) extra entry credits, that means you will have five(7) total entries. Remember, the more entries you have, the more chances of winning! Please don't forget to mention the extra credit/s you've done in your comment. Goodluck!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The Natural Dentist Oral Care- Review and Giveaway
Now more than ever, people are buying natural or eco-friendly products. In fact, a new study from the Grocery Manufacturers Association and Deloitte found more than half of shoppers consider green characteristics in their purchasing decisions.
Why are more people "going green" when it comes to buying products?
Take for instance, The Natural Dentist, a thirteen year-old natural oral care company that makes mouth rinses and toothpastes from the highest quality plants and minerals found in nature. Check out these natural ingredients found in The Natural Dentist products- oral care that's effective without the alcohol, dye, harsh chemicals and detergents or any of the artificial ingredients found in so many brands of mouthwash and toothpaste. Now why would you pick artificial over natural?
And good news, The Natural Dentist wants to make it a little easier for everyone to go the natural route when it comes to oral care. The brand recently announced a drop in retail prices (up to 30%!) for all mouth rinses to make natural oral care more accessible to everyone. This includes the Antigingivitis Rinse, Pre-Brush Whitening Rinse, Healthy Gums Mouth Rinse, Healthy Teeth Anticavity Fluoride Rinse and Healthy Teeth Fluoride Rinse. These rinses have decreased from $9.99 to a suggested retail price of $6.99 for a 16-ounce bottle.
My whole family had the wonderful opportunity to try their Healthy Teeth & Gums Whitening Plus Toothpaste in the Peppermint Twist flavor, the Pre-Brush Whitening Rinse in Clean Mint, and the Special Gel formula for kids Sparkle Berry Blast toothpaste for my growing boys. My whole family loves the mouth-freshening and natural flavors in The Natural Dentist mouth rinses and toothpastes!
For the best natural oral health and the oral health of your family, count on The Natural Dentist. Now for an even bigger discount and for a limited time only, The Natural Dentist is offering a coupon for $1.50 off any product from The Natural Dentist line of toothpastes or mouth rinses. This coupon can be found at: www.thenaturaldentist.com/pricecut.
Want to try a set of toothpaste and mouth rinse from The Natural Dentist? Read on...
*Win a set of toothpaste and mouth rinse of your choice from The Natural Dentist!
Please don't forget to read the contest rules very carefully before leaving your comment. ONLY ONE (1) COMMENT PER ENTRANT IS PERMITTED.
*CONTEST RULES: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE LEAVING YOUR COMMENT.
ONLY ONE (1) COMMENT PER ENTRANT, PER CONTEST IS ALLOWED. PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND ANY EXTRA ENTRY CREDITS YOU'VE DONE IN YOUR COMMENT. If for some reason you forgot to add a detail on your first comment, you can delete it by using the "trash can" icon beside your comment, then re-enter your new comment with the details you want included. This way, I am able to track the real number of entrants for each contest. I regret to inform you that if you enter multiple comments, you will automatically be disqualified from the contest.
*To enter this contest, leave a comment by Thursday, June 4th at 12MN, EST. OPEN TO U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY. ONLY ONE (1) COMMENT PER ENTRANT IS PERMITTED. Non-bloggers are always welcome to enter. I will pick TWO(2) WNNERS using Random.org. The winners will be notified via email or you can check the winner announcement via Prizey.Fetch. You can also choose to enter the name or nickname you use to enter this contest while you're there.
Want to earn EXTRA CREDITS? Contest entrants will each win one(1) extra credit by doing the following:
1. Mention this contest in a post on your blog with a direct link to www.hipmamasplace.com
2. Add the Hip Mama's Place badge on your blog sidebar. You can find the badge code on the top right hand of the HMP main page and paste it on an HTML page on your sidebar.
3. Subscribe to Hip Mama's Place via the FEED READER or by EMAIL.
4. Favorite Hip Mama's Place on Technorati.
5. Follow Hip Mama's Place on Twitter
6. Post this giveaway on Facebook
If you do all six (6) extra entry credits, that means you will have five(7) total entries. Remember, the more entries you have, the more chances of winning! Please don't forget to mention the extra credit/s you've done in your comment. Goodluck!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
| Find the best makeup for your personal style with this quiz |
 Are you obsessed with the new neon trend or are you more of a stick-to-what-works kinda gal? Take this quiz to find out what kind of makeup fashionista you are and in turn you'll get customized makeup tips and product recommendations that'll help keep your beauty needs satisfied. |
AllyKats ~ Posh Potions with Pizzazz
I was recently introduced to AllyKats- a new line of bath and body products for little girls- that I found are yummy treats for moms as well. Lightly scented and colorful, with lots of high-quality and natural ingredients, AllyKats is the most fabulous addition to any little girl's (or woman's) bath time!
I love the pink-and-green retro labels on AllyKats- so fresh and pretty. Very appropriate for girls of all ages.
"With three daughters, lots of bath products came through our door. I found that my girls liked the brightly colored, glittery products the best, but they were heavily scented and not very age-appropriate. I realized that other moms like me would appreciate a gentler approach that was still "fancy" enough to be a special treat for their little girls," says founder and creator of AllyKats, Robyn Sessler.
My top two picks from the AllyKats bath, body, and lip line are the Lily Grapefruit Bubble Bash- a bubble bath so freshly-scented and gentle I could use it everyday even at the shower, and their Organic Shea Butter Lip Chick- mmmm...made my lips so silky soft! :)
And I just found out AllyKats has something for little boys too! Check out their body wash/shampoo and hair styling gel.
Want to try out AllyKats products for yourself? Read on...
*Win both the Bubble Bash and the Organic Shea Butter Lip Chick from AllyKats! Please don't forget to read the contest rules very carefully before leaving your comment. ONLY ONE (1) COMMENT PER ENTRANT IS PERMITTED.
*CONTEST RULES: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE LEAVING YOUR COMMENT.
ONLY ONE (1) COMMENT PER ENTRANT, PER CONTEST IS ALLOWED. PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND ANY EXTRA ENTRY CREDITS YOU'VE DONE IN YOUR COMMENT. If for some reason you forgot to add a detail on your first comment, you can delete it by using the "trash can" icon beside your comment, then re-enter your new comment with the details you want included. This way, I am able to track the real number of entrants for each contest. I regret to inform you that if you enter multiple comments, you will automatically be disqualified from the contest.
*To enter this contest, leave a comment by Wednesday, June 3rd at 12MN, EST. OPEN TO U.S. and Canada residents only. ONLY ONE (1) COMMENT PER ENTRANT IS PERMITTED. Non-bloggers are always welcome to enter. I will pick one (1) winner using Random.org. The winner will be notified via email or you can check the winner announcement via Prizey.Fetch. You can also choose to enter the name or nickname you use to enter this contest while you're there.
Want to earn EXTRA CREDITS? Contest entrants will each win one(1) extra credit by doing the following:
1. Mention this contest in a post on your blog with a direct link to www.hipmamasplace.com
2. Add the Hip Mama's Place badge on your blog sidebar. You can find the badge code on the top right hand of the HMP main page and paste it on an HTML page on your sidebar.
3. Subscribe to Hip Mama's Place via the FEED READER or by EMAIL.
4. Favorite Hip Mama's Place on Technorati.
5. Follow Hip Mama's Place on Twitter
6. Post this giveaway on Facebook
If you do all six (6) extra entry credits, that means you will have five(7) total entries. Remember, the more entries you have, the more chances of winning! Please don't forget to mention the extra credit/s you've done in your comment. Goodluck!
See Kai Run's First Ever Warehouse Sale!
Save the Date! Save up to 50% off!
I just received a head's up from one of our top sponsors, See Kai Run shoes, that they're having a WAREHOUSE SALE- their FIRST EVER!
Find unprecedented deals on trendy SKR shoes for babies and kids 0-3 years old. Plus, save on cool threads from other local vendors including Babylegs, Lucoo, Kate Quinn Organics, NEST, Knuckleheads, and eight3one.
You will not want to miss this event!
When:
Saturday & Sunday, June 13-14
10 am-3 pm
Where:
See Kai Run World Headquarters
Woodinville Construction & Trade Center
5809 238th ST SE, Suite 5
Woodinville, WA, 98072
Not sure what size your little one wears in See Kai Run shoes? Visit SKR's sizing page for measurements to help find the right fit. Or, try their printable sizing chart.
Click here for more info and to find the See Kai Run warehouse.
The Wisdom of Moms: Mamapedia
As moms, we all face issues and questions regarding our children where we wish we have advice from other mothers who had "already been there, done that." Ranging from how to deal with a newly discovered allergy to deciding on the safest car seat for our kids, we take on the important task of family decision-making everyday. Advice, however, does not always prove easy to come by in our time-crunched lives. Perhaps you have even had a question that you would rather not discuss with your friends and family, but still need the answer to. 
In comes Mamapedia, providing all these answers aggregated in a single destination.
Mamapedia enables you to search answers for your most pressing questions, such as childhood crushes, renting a house, and summer camps, to get empathetic and insightful answers from moms around the country. A virtual encyclopedia of Mothers' wisdom, Mamapedia allows you to quickly navigate through thousands of diverse categories to find the thoughtful, sympathetic-and most importantly-helpful answers to all of your questions. Mamapedia brings millions of women together online, both nation-wide and in our own communities, so we can help each other tackle those difficult parenting questions or even just give recommendations on our favorite pediatricians, playgroups, and kid-friendly restaurants.
Check out Mamapedia for yourself today at: www.mamapedia.com.
*This post is brought to you by Mom Central
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Making Life Better Cooking Coach Videos
Making and preparing family-friendly meals on weeknights can be a challenge, especially after a long day. Would it be great if there's a way that we can make weeknight cooking a pleasure, rather than a chore?
How about watching recipe demo videos to add a bit of dinner-tainment to the evening?
Making Life Better has created recipe demo videos, featuring Jennifer Bushman, the Kitchen Coach, which offer recipe demonstrations and tips that you can watch anytime - even while cooking in your own kitchen! They offer quick and delicious recipes using high quality yet affordable and convenient foods, then mix in some fun with fun recipes and create family theme nights.
* Spend less time in the kitchen, and more time with your family with this easy as "pie" classic: Upside-Down Chicken Pot Pie. With a few simple ingredients, such as frozen veggies, refrigerated biscuits and Knorr Sides. (Check out Jennifer Bushman's Game Night Meal Ideas with the Kitchen Coach video for a step-by-step demonstration of this meal that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters!)
* Set up the couch and chairs in your family living room to create a "home theatre" and enjoy pizza meat loaf, while watching your favorite family flicks. For a new twist on a comfort food favorite. Prepare a perfectly-seasoned Pizza Meat Loaf in no time with go-to ingredients like Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion Soup Mix and Ragú Pasta Sauce.
* Spread a blanket in the living room and treat the family to an at-home dinner picnic. Prepare simple sandwiches like delicious Avocado Tuna Melts. Try using Hellmann's Light Mayonnaise, which has the great taste, but half the calories and fat of Hellmann's Real mayonnaise. Or, when you're on-the-run, spread out the sandwich fixins' so the family can make their own grab 'n' go dinner.
* For a quick and fun twist on dinner, create a baked potato bar stocked with savory toppings. Feature spud toppers, such as shredded cheddar cheese and steamed broccoli, for delicious, added flavor. Add Shedd's Spread Country Crock Calcium plus Vitamin D for added nutritional benefits for growing kids. For a no fuss lunch, use the leftover toppings as the base for a grab 'n' go wrap the next day.
* For a sweet meal ending, prepare a delicious dessert like a Bananas Foster Sundae, made with Breyers All Natural Vanilla ice cream.
To see the Cooking Coach Videos, just go to the Making Life Better YouTube channel at: http://www.youtube.com/makinglifebetter2009.
*This post is brought to you by Mom Central
Friday, May 22, 2009
Enjoying Sunny Bahamas
Friends. I am in beautiful, sunny Nassau in the Bahamas island on a much-needed vacation. No kids. Just me and my honey. It's our second day here on a five-day R&R and I love it! :)
The Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort hotel we're staying at is a fun place in itself. But I can't wait to see all the other attractions the island offers.
Anyway, I will be back with regular product reviews and fun giveaways next Wednesday, May 27th here on Hip Mama's Place.
While you're here, check out the motherhood chatter on Mother Talkers- I love this blog! Deb, from Just A Mom's Take On Things always has giveaways galore on her weekly round-up of contests happening around the blogosphere. And if you love neat knitted bags, toys, and accessories, check out Cathy's Sweet Pea Toad on Etsy. And for you all mommy fashionistas out there who wants celebrity style for less, go visit Shop Suey Boutique online.
For other cool sites to check out, scroll down below the page and on the left side bar, find the section "Cool Sites to Visit".
Please check back next week for more fun reviews and giveaways! I am having so much fun on my vacation. I'll be sure to post some photos when I get back. :)
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Brand-Name Furniture Without the Hefty Price Tag
Spring and summer call for fun outdoor activities. It's also a great time to enjoy beautiful, sunny days while lounging out in our deck or patio. Who doesn't like gathering with family and friends and enjoy an afternoon or evening of lively conversation? The patio is just the perfect place for that and more. Of course, one way to ensure our guests have a relaxing time is to have a comfortable, stylish patio furniture.
If you're furnishing your patio and want to save big on high-quality brand-name furniture, check out DirectBuy. They offer all kinds of furniture, home furnishings, and everything you need to build, remodel, or decorate your home with style and elegance- without the hefty price tags at the retail stores. When you become a member of a DirectBuy location of your choice, you get unlimited access to several hundred name-brands of home products with confidential insider pricing.
Want to find out how DirectBuy works? Get your free DirectBuy visitor's pass today! There are no strings attached and there is no obligation to buy.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Kellogg's Frosted Flakes Plant A Seed Campaign
Do you all remember our post here on Hip Mama's Place back in January about Kellogg's Frosted Flakes Earn Your Stripes (EYS) field renovation program? If you missed that post, the EYS program was launched aiming to renovate America's neighborhood sports fields. Since that time, thousands of fields were nominated some with as many as 700,000 supporters! Those fields have now been narrowed down to 100 finalists and your vote will help determine the winning fields.
The semifinalist fields were chosen based on the feasibility of the field makeover, the location and age of the field, how often it gets used, how many events take place, what teams use it, the number of other athletic fields in the community, the demand, condition, and the impact a field renovation would have on the community.
From May 1st through the 31st, you can vote for your favorite semifinalist field at www.frostedflakes.com. Do you have a field in your area that got nominated or do you like one with a particularly compelling story? Those who nominated the fields described the conditions as having inadequate grass, equipment, uneven playing surfaces and other problems. These renovations will help to build community and provide better places for kids to stay active and play.
To learn more about the Plant A Seed campaign and go vote, please visit: www.frostedflakes.com. Additionally, if you have a Twitter account, please feel free to Tweet about this post or the Plant a Seed voting using the hashtag #plantaseed.
Have a great Tuesday, hip mamas! :)
*This post is brought to you by Mom Central
| Find the best look for you based on these celebrity hairstyle hits and misses |
 What's the best cut and style for my face shape? It's one of the beauty questions most frequently asked by women. Here are some of the best and worst styles you can select for your face shape as seen on some of our favorite celebrities. |
Monday, May 18, 2009
Dining at the Bruno Jamais Restaurant in New York City
Bruno Jamais Restaurant Club brings the French Riviera to the upper east side. Where else can one dine in style until 3am with delectable cuisine such as chocolate soufflé and Foie Gras? The service and décor are equally impressive. The restaurant received the "Best Interior Design" award by Hospitality Design Magazine. The restaurant Bruno Jamais Restaurant Club may be located in a brownstone on the Upper East Side of New York; however the ambience is pure Paris where Executive Chef Hok Chin's cuisine is as artistic as the stylish décor.
Having dinner at Bruno Jamais Restaurant Club is truly a luxury experience. The restaurant club named for its very charming French owner Bruno Jamais, is a little gem, a lovely little secret, where you feel like you have left the streets of New York far behind as you walk up the steps of the brownstone. Once inside, Jacques LeMagueresse welcomes you with his sexy French accent, and leads you to the restaurant through the automatic door of the well-stocked wine cellar with the door closing with a whoosh behind you, capturing the essence of a James Bond movie as you enter the bar.
On a warm summer night allow debonair owner Bruno Jamais to make you feel at home and beat the doldrums of winter. Celebrity patrons have included: Billy Baldwin, Joan Rivers, Cindy Adams, Chazz Palminteri and even former President Bill Clinton. *Reservations are suggested and chic attire is requested.
ALMOND PIE Rich Soufflé Lotion for the Body by Votre Vu
Treat yourself to Votrevu's Tart D'Amande Soufflé Riche Pour Le Corps day or night for luxurious moisture protection that's never heavy or greasy, just divine. Almond Pie exudes a warm fragrance, rich with coveted and healthy ingredients to treat your whole body. Vitamins and tropical nut oils provide the ultimate in hydrated and sensuously silky skin. While rich with fatty acids and decadent aroma, there are no calories to be gained here. Guiltlessly dive into a big scoop of absolute deliciousness, and those lucky enough to be near you will savor the pleasure too. Apply liberally to the body and massage until absorbed. Perfect to wear anywhere!
0% Guilt. 100% Pleasure. Be Delicious.
POWER Ingredients: These are the hard-working ingredients that make this product so powerful and beneficial for you!
Macadamia Oil
Vital
Grape Seed Oil
Shea Butter
Coconut Oil
Sweet Almond Oil
D Panthenol
Cerasome A and E
Retails for $48.00 (6.76 fl. oz.) available now at www.votrevu.com.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
| Want gorgeous skin? Start by making sure you don't commit any of these skin-damaging crimes |
 We hate to get preachy on you, but if you want your skin to look great well into your 80s, you'll follow this advice, courtesy of dermatologists and skin care experts. When asked what the worst possible things for our skin are, these topped their lists. So now, repeat after us, "thou shalt not"... |
Perforated Metal Designs
Do you ever wonder how those intricate patterns are created on steel and metal items such as on furniture and other decorative items?
Accurate Perforating is a company that creates those types of metal patterns. They are a full-service, custom fabrication facility that combines the craft of perforating metal with modern machinery and techniques to offer their customers a complete fabricating and finishing solution. Perforated metals have continued to expand in markets like architecture, audio, HVAC and more and Accurate Perforating meets those demands by offering custom perforated metal solutions for all kinds of projects.
Accurate Perforating will take simple sketches and turns them into reality with their broad range of capabilities including AutoCad design, forming, notching, finishing and more. One of the specialties that they are proud to offer is decorative perforated metal . At Accurate Perforating, they will fulfill your perforated metal project needs exactly as you ordered with great attention to detail and quality customer service.
Accurate Perforating offers the following capabilities:
Materials & Perforating – They perforate a variety of materials for all kinds of applications, and deliver basic sheets, coils, or fabricated components.
Fabricating & Finishing – Their fabricating capabilities include mounting holes, notches, forming, profiling, corrugating and more. A variety of finishes can also be applied to perforated metal, such as powder coating, anodizing and Kynar®, offering the specific look and feel you need.
Tooling & Machinery – All of their tooling is made in house on sophisticated CNC machinery. They design and machine precision tools to create standard and special hole sizes from 0.045” to 4.0” diameters as well slotted, square and hexagonal perforations.
Request a quote today for all your metal perforating needs by calling 1.800.621.0273 or fill out a short form online at www.accurateperforating.com
Dieting The Right Way
While good nutrition can get you back on your feet, remember to be smart about food choices at other times, including when dieting. "Food is the fuel your body needs to function", says Angela Ginn-Meadow, R.D., spokeswoman for the American Diabetic Association. "Trying to lose weight too quickly can often deprive our bodies of essential nutrients it needs for energy".
A calorie-controlled yet well-balanced diet should include whole grains, a wide variety of vegetable, fruits, fat-free or low-fat dairy, lean meats and oily fish, and monounsaturated or ployunsaturated fats ( in such foods as avocados, nuts and safflower oil).
Source: Vigor Magazine for the Potomac Hospital
Low Prices on Wolverine Boots
Looking for the best deals on Wolverine boots and other occupational footwear?
MetBoots.com offersWolverine Boots and many other brands of occupational footwear including safety toe, heat resistant, slip resistant and other types of protective footwear.
At MetBoots.com, it's easy to find what you're looking for as you can search by brand, style, or occupation. They also got special offers and discounts going on all the time so you can save even more! Right now, you can save 10% off all Carolina Work Shoes and Work Boots when you enter coupon code CAR0509 at checkout.
Check out MetBoots.com today for low prices on occupational footwear and expect great customer service!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Safe Food Handling Tips When Serving Food Outdoors
Memorial Day, graduations, showers, Mother's and Father's Day, Independence Day: Spring- and summertime are bursting with celebrations! Here, KraftFoods.com offers very helpful tips on food handling safety when serving food outdoors during warm weather festivities.
* When transporting food to a picnic or other party location, keep all perishables in a cooler with ice or freezer packs until serving time. Make sure the food is cold before it goes into the cooler.
* Eliminate the need to store leftovers when away from home by packing the cooler with just the amount of perishable foods that will be eaten.
* Transport the cooler inside the air-conditioned car instead of a hot trunk, if possible. At the picnic site, keep the cooler in the shade and open it as little as possible.
* Never leave foods at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If the air temperature is over 90°F, perishable foods should be left out for no more than 1 hour.
* If you're purchasing a large quantity of take-out food for your party, such as fried chicken or barbecued beef, be sure to eat the food within 2 hours of pick up. Otherwise, buy the food in advance, refrigerate and reheat just before serving.
* Most raw fruits and vegetables, unfrosted cakes and cookies can be safely out at room temperature for the duration of a party. However, cut melon should be discarded after 2 hours.
* Be sure to keep any desserts made with whipped topping, cream cheese or dairy products refrigerated until ready to serve. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator or cooler.
* When preparing food outdoors away from home, bring along a jug of water, soap and paper towels for washing hands in addition to a hand sanitizer.
Looking to Market Your Business By Mail?
Successful businesses know how to market their products and services effectively. One important marketing strategy that businesses use is reaching out to prospective clients by direct mail.
If you're a business owner and are looking for a reliable mailing list for your direct mail advertising, contact Mailing Lists Direct. Mailing Lists Direct specializes in providing business and consumer mailing lists that are privacy-compliant, accurate and affordable. They continuously update their direct mail lists so that businesses can target their market, grow their sales and increase their profits. Mailing Lists Direct is the leading mailing list provider of choice for thousands of customers across the country. You can depend on them for quality data, superior customer service and impartial recommendations.
To contact Mailing Lists Direct, simply fill out a form online at http://www.mailing-lists-direct.com/contact.html or you may call them toll-free at 1-800-741-0116.
| Recreate these wedding-day appropriate celebrity updos and hairstyles with our easy step-by-step instructions |
 If you're planning a wedding (or just going to one) in this economy, you're probably looking for ways to cut costs. One way: do your own hair or have a friend do it. You can still look gorgeous on your big day with one of these celebrity hairstyles. |
Protect America Home Security Systems
Getting a security alarm system for your home is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from a burglary. It is a known fact that homes with security alarm systems set up are 3 to 4 times less likely to be burglarized than those who don't.
Another benefit a home security alarm system provides is having a greater peace of mind. Imagine returning to your home one day only to find it burglarized, or an intruder comes in at night while you're sleeping. Such a scary thought. But that is why people install security alarms in their homes to prevent such crimes. Security systems work for crime prevention because, more often then not, they scare burglars before they enter the home.
But with so many companies offering home security system services, it becomes a complicated task to choose which alarm system to get. We all want excellent service, quality product, and affordability so when choosing the right home security system, make sure the servce provider offers the following:
* BEST Price in Home Security - Compare & Save!
* BEST Home Security Product in the Industry
* State-of-the-art UL Listed Security Technology
* Protect Your Home with 24/7 Security Monitoring
* Guaranteed Locked in Security Monitoring Rates
* Super Flexible Home Security Packages
* Lifetime Alarm System Replacement Parts Warranty
* Up to 20% Off Homeowners Insurance
* Peace of Mind When It Comes to Your Family & Home
Protect America offers all of the above features and more. They offer the best home security and monitoring deal you can find and will install premium security hardware with GE home security products. They have the most flexible range of monitoring services, including cellular monitoring, two-way voice monitoring, HomePulse broadband monitoring, or standard talking command station monitoring over landline. They provide an extensive selection of GE wireless home security components.
Check out Protect America's home security packages designed to fit your budget. Call them at toll-free 1-877-470-2751 and get 2 keychain remotes with your order.
Kid-Friendly Lasagna
This is a great, easy-to-make and kid-friendly lasagna recipe I found online. Just add grated carrots or any type of vegetable your kids love to it. Cheese is an amazing source of calcium, which kids' bodies need for the growth and repair of bones and teeth.
This recipe serves 4
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup minced onion
2 carrots, grated
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil (optional)
1 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 (14-ounce) package frozen cheese ravioli, unthawed
1 (14-ounce) jar marinara sauce
1/2 pound sliced provolone
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Heat the oil in an ovenproof 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, then sauté the onion, carrots, garlic, and herbs until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Transfer the onion mix to a bowl. Now arrange the still-frozen ravioli (breaking them apart if they're clumped) in one layer in the skillet and sprinkle with the onion mix. Ladle the marinara sauce evenly over the ravioli. Over medium heat, without stirring, cook everything until the ravioli are heated through and beginning to brown on the bottom (gently lift one with a fork to check), about 10 minutes.
Remove the skillet from the heat, then arrange the provolone slices over the sauce and sprinkle the whole thing with Parmesan. Bake the lasagna in the middle of the oven until the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.
Source: Wondertime
Friday, May 15, 2009
3M Filtrete Air Filter
Spring is the time of the year when temperatures start to rise, flowers begin to bloom, and more time spent outside with our families. However, for people who suffer from allergies, Spring is no fun as it means itchy eyes and sneezes.
While we tend to head indoors for relief, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies indicate that indoor levels of many pollutants may be two to five times higher than outdoor levels, making it one of the top five urgent environmental risks to public health. In fact, many seasonal activities such as cooking, spring cleaning and redecorating can spread indoor pollutants.
Know the Facts:
·Poor indoor air quality can cause a lack of concentration in school-aged children (Journal of Indoor Air)
·Every year, asthma accounts for an estimated three million lost work days for adults and over ten million lost school days for children (American Lung Association's Trends in Asthma Morbidity and Mortality)
Dr. Neil Schachter, M.D., past president of the American Lung Association of the City of New York, suggests a "home health check-up" to help make your home a healthier place to live. He recommends avoiding cleaning products that contain ammonia or chlorine, and limiting your pet's access to certain areas of the home, including the bedroom. A high performance air filter, such as a Filtrete filter, may also help improve indoor air quality. Listen to these tips and more on Dr. Schachter's podcast on www.Filtrete.com. 
While you're there, play the Filtrete Clean Air Fact or Fiction to test your knowledge of indoor air quality. You could win a home inspection from Steve Ramos, featured home inspector on HGTV's House Detective.
It's recommended to change your air filter at the start of every season, or every three months. Recognizing that this may be the last thing on the mind of a busy Mom, 3M, the makers of Filtrete filters, offers the Clean Air Club. Moms can receive seasonal e-newsletters featuring special offers, filter change reminders, better home living tips and more. Plus, the first 50 people to sign up each week will receive a free bamboo plant - a natural air purifier.
For more details on 3M Filtrete air filters and the Clean Air Club, visit www.Filtrete.com.
*This post is brought to you by Mom Central
Cool The Summer Down at Disney's Themed Water Parks
Are you planning to take your family somewhere fun to cool down this summer? I bet you are already thinking of going to Walt Disney in Orlando, Florida- one of the most popular destinations for family get-aways all year round.
When in Orlando, Florida, check out the two Orlando Waterparks: Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park. These two water parks in Walt Disney World Resort- Orlando feature attractions for the whole family.
Have fun at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park which consists of 9 waterslides—one with near-vertical drops, a children's play area, the Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool with 6-foot waves, and Shark Reef—where you can snorkel with real sharks and schools of colorful fish. My two little boys would love to go to a really fun place just like this!
Quick Tip from Disney: Ketchakiddee Creek is a water play area in Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. Featuring 10 different activity areas with fun water features and kid-sized slides, this is a perfect place to play for little ones who are less than 48 inches tall.
If that's not enough, Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park offer attractions that include raft rides, toboggan slides, a one-acre wave pool, the Tike's Peak children's play area and intense waterslides—including one of the the tallest and fastest in the whole U.S.A.!
Qucik Tip from Disney: Tike's Peak at Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park offers tots less than 48 inches tall their own watery play area with a fanciful snow-castle fountain, pop-up water jets and kid-sized slides.
Ready to get your tickets? OrlandoFunTickets.com offers the lowest prices on discount tickets for all Disney, Orlando attractions. They are a licensed, bonded, and authorized full-service ticket provider for Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, all Orlando Dinner Shows and many other great attraction brands that Orlando has to offer.
For assistance in choosing your Disney tickets, visit Orlando Fun Tickets online at: www.orlandofuntickets.com or call them toll-free at 1-866-225-4712.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Limiting Your Kids' Screen Time
Did you know that kids who watch TV, play on the computer, and play video games a lot are risking a lifetime of health problems? It's a proven fact: too much screen time is associated with:
* violent behavior
* poor school performance
* lower reading scores
* sleep pattern disturbances
* being overweight
* consumption of junk food
* bad habits later in life (like tobacco and alcohol abuse)
Although some screen time can be educational and even encourage physical activity, it's all too easy to get sucked in. Help your kids find other things to do.
Limiting screen time benefits the whole family
The growing array of screens in childrens' lives including TV, video and computer games, DVDs, the Internet, videos shown in the car, and even cell phone text messaging, games and shows, are competing with the amount of time spent in active and imaginative play, reading, or family interaction.
"The wonderful thing about reducing screen time...is that healthy children will almost automatically become more physically active and personally interactive," says Kaiser Permanente pediatrician Phil Wu, MD. "Without the mind-numbing effect of too many hours of screen time, their natural desire to be up and around doing creative and interactive things will surface. As a family, you can tap into that creativity and increase everyone's activity level."
Tips for reducing screen time:
* Turn off the TV during meals, which encourages everyone to eat and talk together.
* Keep computers, TVs, and video game consoles out of kid's bedrooms.
* Don't use screen time as a reward.
* Designate certain days of the week as screen-free days.
What you can do instead:
* Exercise as a family by taking walks, riding bikes, or playing sports or active games together.
* Do something active for at least 60 minutes each day.
* Set up screen free play dates.
* Read a book, listen to music, or encourage your kids to write a story, draw, or create an art project, if you need some quiet, down-time.
If you have a toddler or preschooler
Keep your little one busy, safe, and happy when you are trying to get something done. Here are alternatives to screen time when you're preparing meals and for other occasions:
* Set up a kitchen play station with a spoon and small bowl, plastic containers or other safe household materials or toys.
* Get kids three and older to help (set the table, tear lettuce for salad, or decorate place cards).
* Engage an older sibling or neighbor to keep the kids safely amused.
* Recorded books on tape or CD (often available from libraries) are a great alternative when you can't do the reading yourself.
* Young children can be marvelously creative with some tape or glue and commonly available recycled household materials such as toilet paper tubes, cereal cartons, fabric scraps (or worn-out clothes), egg cartons, yogurt containers, and lids.
Source: Kaiser Permanente Healthy Kids Watch Less TV Coalition
Reviewed by: Phil Wu, MD and Richard Freed, PhD, March 2008
Celebrate Father's Day with Hallmark Recordable Cards with Music
Father's Day is Sunday, June 21st and if you're looking to give Dad something memorable and fun, how about giving him the gift of your voice with a Hallmark recordable greeting card?
Hallmark's Recordable Cards with Music allow the sender to give the gift of their own voice- by recording a 10-second voice message right into the card, followed by a pre-recorded song clip. So whether it's for a favorite uncle or a special message to mom, this recorded message will last as a keepsake to commemorate a very memorable Mother's or Father's Day.
Hallmark also has a new collection of “everyday” cards– each only 99 cents– that feature vibrant, colorful designs and special design elements not usually found in previous 99-cent collections. The new Hallmark 99-cent cards cover a wide variety of situations — birthday, thinking of you, friendship, encouragement, and more.
Check out Hallmark online at www.hallmark.com or in-store for great Father's Day and all-occasion greeting cards and gifts.
| Find out how you can get professional-level results at home |
 Who has the money or the time to head to the spa or beauty salon these days? Not us. That's why we searched around for gadgets and products that would give us spa-worthy results at home. Check them out and be on your way to better skin and hair, without making a huge dent in your bank account. |
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Mosquito Magnet
Summer is fast approaching which means spending more and more of our days outside.
If you and your family like being outdoors for barbeques, family picnics, or just hanging out by the pool or in your back deck during the summer months, protect yourself from pesky mosquitoes and other biting insects which can easily ruin your plans.
Not only mosquitoes are annoying, they can also cause harm to your health as they are known carriers of diseases such as the West Nile virus, among others.
So how can you protect your family, pets and guests from disease-carrying mosquitoes?
If you haven't heard of the Mosquito Magnet® trap, it's a patented Counterflow™ Technology that operates 24/7 by releasing a continuous stream of carbon dioxide (CO2) and scientifically proven attractant to draw mosquitoes to the trap. With this technology, mosquitoes are vacuumed into a net where they dehydrate and die which then disrupts the mosquito breeding cycles and virtually eliminating the
nuisance and danger of mosquitoes in your yard all season long.
For more details and video demonstrations of how this very unique and effective mosquito trap solution works, visit www.mosquitomagnet.com.
| When it comes to celebrity hairstyle icons, which length of hair do you prefer? See what women think... |
 How would you like your style icon served up? With short, medium or long hair? Overwhelmingly, when searching for celebrity hairstyle inspiration, women prefer medium length styles that offer maximum flexibility. Here are some of the most influential celebrity style icons and their most popular hair looks. |
Kiki's Fashions Maternity
If you're pregnant and you like to look cute and fashionable in your maternity clothes, check out the trendy and very affordable Kiki's Fashions Maternity online store.
Kiki's Fashions Maternity offers a wide selection of unique and trendy maternity clothes at prices so low you can't resist it. Forget boxy, boring and expensive maternity clothes at the regular maternity store. Kiki's Fashions Maternity has the cutest maternity dresses, tops, bottoms and even maternity gifts that won't break the bank. Check out the $10 Clearance section for even more savings!
Also, Kiki's Fashions Maternity is offering an exclusive coupon for 20% off your purchase. Just enter the coupon code: "blogfriends" at checkout to get your discount.
We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition)
Have you heard about the We Can! program?
We Can!™ stands for Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition. We Can! is a national education program designed for parents and caregivers to help children 8-13 years old stay at a healthy weight.
Parents and caregivers are the primary influencers for this age group. We Can! offers parents and families tips and fun activities to encourage healthy eating, increase physical activity and reduce sedentary or screen time.
It also offers community groups and health professionals resources to implement programs and fun activities for parents and youth in communities around the country.
To learn more about this program and how you can get involved, visit www.wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov/.
Guide To Web Hosting
Are you a personal or business website owner and are shopping for a new web hosting service?
There is a really cool site that's specifically created to help guide you in choosing the right web hosting service that will serve your web hosting needs and can meet your budget. Check out WebHostingChoice.com.
WebHostingChoice.com not only lists the most current top 10 best-rated web hosting service providers available- they also have a very helpful learning area that explains web hosting basics, a Hosting Directory Page to easily find web hosts that provide advanced and other more niche related features, and an Advanced Search that allows you to customize your searches so that you can pick the specific features you want from a web hosting provider.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
| Follow the lead of celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Michelle Obama and use these easy tweaks to update your style |
 You don't have to dramatically cut or color your strands to work your way out of a hairstyle rut. These celebrities prove that even something as simple as changing your part or pinning back your bangs can give your hair the makeover you've been craving. |
