Momathon Blog

Shopping: Use Price Comparison Apps to Find Best Deals

Here are just a few apps that make shopping and finding the best deal easier.

PRICE COMPARISON AND SALE APPS

Decide.com

Wonder if you should buy now or wait on tech gadgets or video games? Get the best deals on consumer electronics by knowing WHEN TO BUY that next gadget or video game. App also gives technical specs on products.

Savvy

Built-in personal receipt manager and wish list, you capture photos of products you want, set the price you want it for, and easily purchase those items when products hit the ideal price.

SaleLocator

SaleLocator shows you what's on sale now in local stores. Browse sales items by category, instead of one long list. Save individual items to your shopping list.

SHOPPING "PERK" APP

Shopkick

App gives you rewards (aka “kicks”) when yo walk into stores--including Target, Best Buy, Old Navy, Macy’s, Toys“R”Us, American Eagle, Sports Authority and many more. You can turn your kicks into iTunes gift cards, store gift cards, Facebook credits, restaurant vouchers, gas cards or movie tickets. 

STORE APPS

Many stores offer apps, here are a few I like.

Target

Browse and purchase your favorite items right on your phone. Create and organize your shopping list, get special offers, check prices and more. Also find specific Target stores that have the item you want in stock. 

Best Buy

Product scanner lets you quickly find your favorite products, read reviews and check in-store availability. Purchase from your phone and have your product delivered to your home, or pick it up today at your local store. Check the Best Buy trade-in value of your Wii, Xbox, Sony and other video games.

Amazon Mobile

 Scan a barcode, snap a photo, or type a search, to quickly compare prices and check availability.

Price Check by Amazon

Search for Amazon products quickly using barcode, picture, voice, and text search, and access product descriptions and customer reviews. Price sharing feature helps keep Amazon prices competitive. 

SHIPPING TRACKER

Slice

Track your shipments automatically. Works with Gmail and Yahoo! 

 

Tips for After Christmas Returns and Finding Best Sales

The day after Christmas is always a big shopping day. We bring back our returns and end up spending more in the stores. Who can resist the "Mega Monday" deals?

Approximately 35% of us will return or exchange the gifts we recieved for Christmas. A whopping $46.3 billion in gifts expected to be returned this year according National Retail Federation. That's up 4 percent from last year.

Return policies
So how much time do you have to make a return? You can find a handy list of store return policies  at the nation's biggest retailers here via ABC News. The re-stocking fee for electronics is gone at many stores, but the gift return policy grace period has been shortened by many big name stores. According to ABC the window for returning electronics is:

• WALMART: 15 days
• TARGET: 45 days
• TOYS R US: 45 days
• BEST BUY: until 1/24/12

Store deals
Today may be the best day to get a deal on electronics and clothing today--Mega Monday! Some amazing shopping deals listed here including:

• Eddie Bauer: 50% off entire store
• Home Depot: 10% off appliances and free delivery
• JCPenney: $10 off coupon for purchases over $25.
• Abercrombie & Fitch: 30-50% off clothing

Photo essay: O holy night

 

Peace and Joy

 

(Christmas Eve image by me, Chris Olson.)

Printable Holiday Gift Box: Christmas Reindeer

I created another printable holiday gift box for you. This one features an adorable vintage image of a Christmas deer from my Luna Blue Studio printables collection. Just click on this Printable gift box link to download the gift box pictured above. The pillow box fits on 8.5" x 11" paper--you can scale down the size when printing to make a smaller box. (Complete directions on how to create the gift box using the printable are below.)

5 Pet Safety Tips During the Holiday

From my home to yours: Merry Christmas, Friends! Hope you are enjoying time together with family and friends this holiday.

Seems like I write a great deal about fun things for people during the holidays. Here's a message from my dogs they want you to hear:

4 tips to keep your dogs and other pets safe during the holidays:

1) Provide safe pet toys to chew so they don't chew on holiday decor, etc.
My dogs love having everyone home at Christmas, but they also end up finding lots of not so good things to chew on. Dogs love to chew. On almost anything. Toys (and decorations) that are not designed for dogs are not safe play toys for pets. Small parts--even the squeaky part inside a toy--can spell trouble if your pup chews up the toy and swallows the choking hazard. Instead give your dog indestructible toys like a Kong filled with dog treats. 

2) Supervise your pet around the Christmas tree.
Christmas trees are SO interesting! But keep your dog and cat away from the tree decorations, cords, AND the tree water. Some tree water preservative mixtures may contain fertilizers, and stagnant tree water can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Pine needles when ingested can damage and even puncture the intestine. Vacuum up the needles daily to help keep pets safe. One tip to keep pets away from the tree area from PawRescue Org include: 

• Place sticky mats on or around the tree area
• Put some pennies in empty plastic drink bottles (screw the cap on tight) and balance the bottles on the bottom branches of the holiday tree or plant so that they will noisily tip over if a cat or other pet jumps at or on the tree.

Christmas at the Broadmoor Hotel

My family visits The Broadmoor Hotel during the holidays almost every year. Here are just a few of our favorite holiday things to do: enjoy a cup of hot cocoa by the outdoor fireplace overlooking the lake, check out the Gingerbread Village, and walk around the lake at night to see the light display on dozens and dozens of decked out holiday trees. 

The five-star The Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is nestled against the foothills. This lakeside resort has over 3,000 acres of family fun--world class golf courses, luxury spa, indoor and outdoor tennis, horseback riding, rock climbing, amd more. A perennial resort favorite, Forbes Travel Guide announced its list of Five-Star winners for 2012 and honored The Broadmoor for a record 52nd consecutive year-The Broadmoor is the only property ever to achieve this status.

Merry Christmas in Stop Motion (video)

This one is so cute I had to share it again. A video from the archives:

 

Merry Christmas in Stop Motion from Trent Bailey Photography on Vimeo.

DIY: Free Vintage Santa Pillow Box Printable

Hello Friends! Hope you are having a nice Monday. I created a little Christmas DIY gift for you. Just click on this PDF link to download my Vintage Santa pillow box printable. Directions for assembly in the steps below.

Holiday Recipe: Chai Tea with Milk

 

Enjoy!

Photo by me, Chris Olson

12 Days of Albums: Music for Wrapping Christmas Presents

Listiening to great music always boosts my mood. Here are my picks for the best albums for wrapping Christmas presents:

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas by Vince Guaraldi Trio
2. Merry Christmas by Mariah Carey
3. Christmas by Michael Bublé
4. Under the Mistletoe by Justin Bieber
5. A Very She & Him Christmas by She & Him
6. Bing Crosby: Christmas Classics by Bing Crosby
7. The Greatest Holiday Classics by Kenny G
8. The Christmas Collection by Frank Sinatra
9. Four Christmases (Music from the Motion Picture) by Various Artists
10. A Holiday Carole by Carole King
11. The Classic Christmas Album by Tony Bennett
12. A Christmas Together - John Denver & the Muppets by John Denver

And if you are tired of Christmas albums here are a few alternatives that will rock your wrapping.

1. Teenage Dream (Deluxe Edition) by Katy Perry
2. 21 by ADELE
3. Valentine's Day (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Various Artists (Ignore the title, this album rocks any time of the year.)
4. 1 by The Beatles
5. Rocket Man - Number Ones by Elton John
6. The Very Best of Neil Diamond by Neil Diamond
7. Elf (Music from the Motion Picture) by Various Artists (Okay, I lied... this is still a Christmas album)

  

8 Simple Holiday Stress Busters

 

Completely avoiding all stress triggers during the holidays is an unrealistic goal that might end up making you feel more tense. Instead try one of these eight simple ways to feel better fast when stress levels build.

1. Take a short stress break and laugh – watch, read or listen to something funny

2. Forget about being the super hero – stop juggling and try focusing on one activity at a time or find a way to collaborate with others such as a joining a babysitting co-op to free up some time

3. Slow down and "meditate on the go"– Build your mind-body connection by practicing slowly breathing in and out or even talking more slowly than normal

4. Simplify your to-do list – for starters examine your list and check one thing off and do it now

5. Skip the afternoon caffeine and instead take a brisk walk outside to boost your energy

6. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water

7. Avoid slumping at your desk – set a timer on your laptop and every 30 minutes do a posture check.

8. Build in a daily or weekly "mini escape" from the holiday rush – immerse yourself in something relaxing like a soak in the tub with bath products containing rosemary or eucalyptus or indulge in some aquatic therapy in a pool with sunlight streaming in a few windows

For more information on stress reducers:

• Whole Body Action Plan | Whole Living
• 10 Stress Busters | World of Psychology
• 8 Immediate Stress Busters by MedicineNet.com

Photo by me, Chris Olson

 

My new blog banner for December

 
Hello, December!

Are you counting down the days until the holiday break? December is always such a busy time at my house. The kids are putting the finishing touches on school projects and studying for exams before vacation begins. I just try to keep my head above water with work projects. Turning on some Christmas music usually makes the day less hectic and more relaxing!

Merry Christmas!

(December blog banner designed and illustrated by me, Chris Olson.)

Kiss the cook

 

Hope you had a lovely long holiday weekend. Having the kids cook with me in the kitchen always makes the holidays a fun family time. My daughter loves to bake and she surprised me with a delicious Sunday breakfast. So sweet!

If you want to check out my cooking with kids recipes, click on this Momathon recipe link that includes Buttery Holiday Spritz, Mini German Pancakes, Easy Raspberry Tiramisu, Kids' Choice Citrus Cranberry Chicken, and many more kid-friendly recipes.

Bon appetit!

Photo: by me, Chris Olson

 

Its so Etsy: Snowflake Onesies, Red Christmas Glass and more Holiday Delights

 

Are you using your Etsy iPhone app to shop for the holidays? Just in case you don't have one yet, here are just a few of the many lovely handmade items at Etsy: 

Christmas Glass Fairy Lights red with glass snow by redbrickglass

Snowflake Baby Onesie Dyed Poppy red or custom by CausticThreads

Woodland Folk Reindeer Push Toy for the by prettydreamer on Etsy

Crochet scarf mulberry vermilion red cocoon by violasboutique

Photos: Etsy shop links shown above. 

 

Cooking with Kids: Buttery Holiday Spritz Cookies

The holiday season is starting early at my house this year. I have been craving these buttery cookies for days. This recipe is a perfect cookie to make with kids. Mixing the 5-ingredient dough is a snap. Plus your kids will love using the cookie press to make the cookies.

Buttery Spritz

• 1 cup butter or margarine
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 tsp flavoring (almond or vanilla)
• 2 1/2 cups flour

Heat oven to 400. Mix butter, sugar, egg yolks, and flavoring. Add flour to mixture. Select the cookie press shape you want to use. (Each time you fill the press you can change the cookie press shape.) Using about 1/4 of the dough at a time, force the dough through the cookie press (see the photo below) onto an ungreased baking sheet.

Bake 7-10 minutes--be careful not to overbake. Makes about 6 dozen cookies. 

Photo by me, Chris Olson

A Very She & Him Christmas

 

Yes, I know it is early, but I am listening to A Very She & Him Christmas. If anyone at my house complains about this, then I will be playing the album everyday at 5:00 a.m. for the next two months.

I first fell in love with the voice of She & Him singer Zooey Deschanel when she was the store elf-ette in the movie Elf.

Listen below to “The Christmas Waltz,” the first track from ‘A Very She & Him Christmas’! 

She & Him - The Christmas Waltz by MergeRecords

Zooey Deschanel and The New Girl show

Now Zooey Deschanel has a TV show too, "The New Girl" on FOX. If you ever were suddenly single after facing a break-up, then you will definitely want to watch the trailer for that show below.

(Here's the The New Girl show YouTube Link.)

 

Think pink when shopping for the holidays

 

No pressure, but did you realize there's only two months (60 days!) until Christmas Eve. Now's a great time to stock up on Pink gifts and support the fight against breast cancer at the same time. Check out this list of 19 Pink gifts via Oprah.com.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For more information on breast cancer and early detection, check out National Breast Cancer Foundation and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The The Power of Pink gift ideas:

• Georgetown Cupcakes
• Sharelli Hoop Earrings
• Pink Dots Bottle
• Rebecca Taylor Cami
• Expressions NYC Satin Clutch
• Fila Sport Tank Top
• Reebok's Pink Ribbon ZigFly Sneakers
• Find the rest of the Pink list here

Photos: Power of Pink via Oprah.com

A tattoo Barbie? Really?

With Manga cartoon-style tattoos running up her left arm and across her neck and chest, the new limited edition "tokidoki Barbie" with her strange cactus-covered companion named "Bastardino" will not be delivered by Santa this year according to my obviously biased poll of moms and dads. The new funky fashionista Barbie by Mattel has a bubblegum pink bob and a skull-heart sweater to match her tattoos. The only positive thing I can say about the new tramp stamp Barbie is she seems to have a more realistic cup size than the "wholesome" ballerina and princess Barbies that look like they had breast implants.

I think many parents are asking why did Mattel make this doll? Strange as it sounds, Mattel has been testing the tattooed doll market for over a decade. I thought it was weird back in 2009 when Mattel introduced the Totally Stylin' Tattoos Barbie. Now her benign removable tattoo stickers seem tame in comparison to the new tokidoki Barbie. A decade before that in 1997 – back in the dark ages before most people had even heard of Google – Mattel was feeling hip and launched the Butterfly Art Barbie with tattoos, but it was later withdrawn from sale in the U.S. because of outraged parents.

The inked Barbie was designed by the Italian designer Simone Legno of the Janpanese-influenced pop culture design company, tokidoki. According to Mattel the doll is not aimed at kids, but designed for doll collectors. You can buy the new funky Barbie on Mattel's Barbie Collector website for $50. The doll is currently sold out, but if you are desperate she's also on eBay.

Photos: Mattel

Daily doodle: the big purse

I like my money right where I can see it--hanging in my closet.
~ Carrie, Sex and the City

You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.
Illustration: Chris Olson © 2011.

Daily doodle: Give joy

“First we’ll make snow angels for two hours, then we’ll go ice skating, then we’ll eat a whole roll of Tollhouse Cookie-dough as fast as we can, and then we’ll snuggle.” ~ Buddy the Elf (Elf, movie)

You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.
Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010.

Simply brilliant: Cut paper animated Christmas video

Gorgeous holiday video from papercut artist & Chronicle author Rob Ryan. Watch it below.

Seasons Greetings from Rob Ryan from MR. ROBERT RYAN on Vimeo.

Merry Christmas in stop motion

Are you looking for a cool activity to do with your kids? Have some fun with your camera and try creating a stop motion video. Check out the amazing Vimeo video below by Trent Bailey Photography for ideas.

 

Merry Christmas in Stop Motion from Trent Bailey Photography on Vimeo.

(Photo above: screenshot from the Trent Bailey video)

Dreaming of a puppy Christmas...

Bringing a new dog or cat home on Christmas may seem like a great idea, but new pets need lots of extra TLC when you first bring them home. Holiday festivities can make helping a new pet adjust very difficult. Instead, consider making your own "pet adoption gift card" that promises your children you will go to a local shelter after the holidays and pick out the perfect pet to adopt.

If you already have a dog or cat, don't forget to pet-proof your house during the holidays. Holiday decorations and food and even new holiday toys are very tempting chew toys for pets just like they are for children. And we tend to put the holiday items in places dogs and other pets can reach easily. We might remember to baby-proof our house if we have young children, but we also can use the same concept for pet-proofing the house for the holidays. For tips on how to make your dog and cat safe, check out these holiday safety tips for pets.

Photo: Chris Olson © 2010

Daily doodle: O Christmas Penguin, O Christmas Penguin

 

 

O Christmas penguin, O Christmas penguin,

Much pleasure dost thou bring me!

For ev’ry year the Christmas penguin,

Brings to us all both joy and glee.

O Christmas penguin, O Christmas penguin,

Much pleasure dost thou bring me!

(Check out more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.
Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010.)

 

Blog for Digs: My childhood bedroom was...

My blog post today is part of Blog for Digs--a great charity blogging event for the non-profit Dwell with Dignity. This non-profit group of interior designers and volunteers is dedicated to creating soothing, inspiring homes for families struggling with homelessness and poverty". Learn how you can help make a difference, click here.

My childhood bedroom was...

If I close my eyes and imagine playing on the floor with my dolls in my childhood bedroom, I can almost feel the warm summer breeze coming in through the windows, hear the crickets chirping in the meadow grass outside and taste the sugar cookies baking in the always busy kitchen oven. I loved looking outside and my windows were a favorite feature of my tiny corner room. In the winter I would fall asleep warm and cozy under my pillowy comforter while listening to the snow machines rumbling as they magically blew man-made snow across the runs at the ski resort down the street.

Although my super organized parents might disagree, my childhood bedroom was very neat. Every toy, gadget, and doll had a special box, shelf, or drawer to call home. On one wall my parents added shelves to create a large dollhouse. In my closet they built another shelving system to house my other toys. My desk, my bed, my dresser and my chair were all antiques passed down through the generations. As a child I always wanted a bean bag chair, but when I grew up I realized the beauty of restored wood and handsewn cushions.

I will always be grateful that my parents neatly boxed up and saved many of my toys when I went to college. Here are just a few of my favorite childhood things that I photographed in my studio yesterday:

  

More childhood bedroom posts to come!

Sending special MOMMY HUGS to Claudia and Beth who organized this event and, of course, to everyone at Dwell with Dignity.

If you can, please donate so that we can help create special memories for some great and deserving children.

A talented group of bloggers will post about their childhood bedrooms and one decor item they wished they had. Claudia's Blog for Digs schedule over at StoneHouseLove features a few bloggers for each day.  

Passing the blogger keyboard over to blogger Emily at Notorious MLE. She will be posting her stories about childhood bedrooms tomorrow. Looking forward to reading all of the posts of blog for digs over the next few weeks. You can see the entire schedule for bloggers here.

 

Me and some reindeer

I found these friendly reindeer in my studio. I think even they were surprised by my new hair color. No worries. They told me Santa promises he will help me get my blond hair back.

Illustration: Chris Olson

Holiday safety tips for pets

Holiday decorations and food and even new holiday toys are very tempting chew toys for pets just like they are for children. And we tend to put the holiday items in places dogs and other pets can reach easily. We might remember to baby-proof our house if we have young children, but we also can use the same concept for dog-proofing the house for the holidays. 

Toys (and holiday decorations) that are not designed for dogs are not safe for pets. Small parts--even the squeaky part inside a child's or dog's toy--can spell trouble if your pup chews up the toy and swallows the choking hazard. Instead give your dog indestructible toys to keep him occupied like a "Kong" dog toy filled with dog treats. 

Some types of "people food" can be toxic to your dog. I know it's hard to resist giving your pooch a snack from the dinner table. Especially during the holidays. Unfortunately some foods that people love--even healthy foods such as grapes or raisins--can harm or kill your pet. 

We know chocolate and candy is bad for Fido, but did you know that meatloaf with onions is very harmful because of the onions? When my Rhodesian Ridgeback got pancreatitis after eating the turkey meat with the skin on it, I found out how quickly a healthy dog can become gravely ill from greasy foods. Also, you should avoid any candy or other item sweetened with xylitol. See my list below for foods to avoid. Plus, for more information on pet safety during the holidays, check out the ASPCA Holiday Safety Tips.

 

 

Common signs of poisoning include:

• Muscle tremors or seizures
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Drooling
• Redness of skin, ears, and eyes
• Swelling and bleeding

 

Foods to avoid

For a detailed look at poisonous foods and items for pets, check out the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

Here's a quick overview of just a few people foods dogs and other pets should not eat according to the ASPCA.

• Avocados
• Alcohol
• Greasy foods like turkey skin
• Nuts (especially macadamia nuts and walnuts)
• Chocolate
• Candy or anything containing the sweetener Xylitol
• Coffee and Caffeine
• Grapes or Raisins
• Onions, Garlic, Chives
• Human Medicine
• Yeast Dough
• Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs and Bones
• Milk
• Salt

 

Plants to avoid

Many of your favorite household plants are poisonous to pets too. Check out the ASPCA: 17 Common Poisonous Plants

Here are 17 plants that are poisonous to pets:

• Lilies
• Marijuana
• Sago Palm
• Tulip/Narcissus bulbs
• Azalea/Rhododendron
• Oleander
• Castor Bean 
• Cyclamen
• Kalanchoe
• Yew
• Amaryllis 
• Autumn Crocus 
• Chrysanthemum 
• English Ivy 
• Peace Lily (AKA Mauna Loa Peace Lily) 
• Pothos 
• Schefflera

 

Illustration by me, Chris Olson.

Photo image by digital_image_fan

(You might notice that a version of this post is familiar, you can read it also here.)

 

 

Mommy deal of the day: Tiny Prints holiday cards

You can design personalized cards for the holidays at one of my faves, Tiny Prints. New card designs by artists around the globe are added to the store so you can make a unique card that fits your style. Be sure to check out the special promos featured on their website. 

Today TinyPrints offers a special shopping promo via Jill's Steals and Deals featured on the TODAY Show: 

Tiny Prints Celebrity Holiday Card Promotion offers 10 Celebrity Ornament Cards for $5!

Here's how to take advantage of the promo:

1. Go to the Tiny Prints Celebrity Holiday Card Promo link.
2. Click on the type of card you want, and then follow the directions carefully to personalize your card.
3. Enter the promo card at check out. Code: TODAYCARDS. Code expires at 9:00 am (PT) tomorrow (12/18/10) 

Tiny Prints offers other special holiday promos on their website too including today's promo: 10% off holiday cards and invites.

NOTE to my readers: I feature unique products I like on my blog. I do not receive compensation for featuring these products. 

Five tips for selecting a Christmas tree

Picking out the best Christmas tree for your home seems easy until you arrive at the tree lot and the choices are endless. Here are a few tips I follow from the National Christmas Tree Association:

-- Know what size (height and width) you need before you go shopping.
-- Check out the NCTA or Martha Stewart Holidays links to identify which tree variety will be best for your family.
-- Don't shop in the dark. Find a tree lot that is well-lit. A lot that stores trees in a shaded area is even better.
-- Ask retailer when the trees arrived. Some trees are only delivered once at the beginning of the season. Other tree lots get several shipments during the season.
-- Test for freshness depends on type of tree. 

Fir trees: Green needles on fresh fir trees break crisply like a carrot when bent sharply with the fingers. 

Pines: Needles on firs are fibrous compared to firs. Needles on fresh pines do NOT break, unless they are very dry.

Photo: GIRLintheCAFE

Pack a shoebox with gifts via Operation Christmas Child

It is so simple. Give a gift to someone who has very little. Share the love of the holiday season by packing a shoebox with toys, school supplies, personal hygiene items, and a note from you. You can show you care thanks to Samaritan's Purse and Operation Christmas Child. 

 

This week, November 15 - 22, is Operation Christmas Child's national collection week. Shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child will be collected for distribution to more than eight million needy children internationally. Detailed instructions for participating at Operation Christmas Child. Nearby drop-off locations listed here.

Share this project with a friend and pack two boxes.

Note: I think it is always a good idea to check the details of a charity before donating. According to the online charity evaluator, Charity Navigator, Samaritan's Purse and their program Operation Christmas Child receives a 4-star rating out of 4 stars.

 

 

Christmas Song: Alvin and the Chipmunks

  

 

All right you Chipmunks! Ready to sing your song?

Christmas, Christmas time is near,

Time for toys and time for cheer,

We've been good, but we can't last,

Hurry Christmas, hurry fast.

--The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)

The Chipmunks & David Seville

Merry Christmas to You!

xo Chris