Getting the Best Deals and Comparisons for Cyber Monday

If you went out this past Black Friday to start some holiday shopping or just window shopping to see "how low can they go" retailers with prices in this troubled economy, you could have done both at the comfort of your home during Cyber Monday.  But just keep in mind that instead of experiencing parking issues and fighting crowds, during Cyber Monday may experience some delays and slowdowns at retail websites.

Unless you know where to go and/or you already own coupons, Moms Buzz recommends the following websites for comparing prices, getting your online coupons and ultimately getting the best deals:

• www.pricegrabber.com
• www.shopzilla.com
• www.dealnews.com
• www.pricespider.com

Also, remember that just as in stores, the best times to shop online are:

• very early in the morning
• mid afternoon

• late at night

Tomorrow, we will be having Cyber Monday specials and saving coupons of fine online boutiques.

- The Moms Buzz 

B.O.W. The Best of the Web Weekly Round-Up

Today, Moms Buzz is happy to bring you B.O.W. - the Best Of the Web in a weekly roundup of posts from fine blogs and sites featuring fashion, beauty, lifestyle, parenting and much more.

Style, Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle and Health

Couture in the City: is proud to present with Whitehorn, our exclusive silk scarf giveaway! Oh and dare I say contest too! Yes these beautiful hand made scarves are 100% silk. And are designed by British designer Janey Smedley.

GlamSpirit: Wise Words From a Renowned Yogini. 

Moms Buzz: Harry Potter Holiday Giveaway. If you are Harry Potter fan, you will love the newest wizardly classic from J.K. Rowling, "The Tales of Beedle and the Bard!" And, yes, Moms Buzz is giving it away for this holiday season!! Our giveaway is valued at $259 in prizing! There is one lucky grand prize winner and 4 runners up!

 

Parenting, Family, Kids, Moms & Little Couture

Boston Mamas: Signing with Baby. Looking for a way to communicate with your preverbal baby? Check out Signing Time's DVDs and CDs. 
   
Classy Mommy: Nintendo Wii Giveaway. This giveaway will be a bit like a popularity contest with the winner earning the most votes during the contest period. Check out the contest details, current standings, and how to enter your name to win! Bonus prizes will be announced soon too! 
    
MomFinds: Win a $50 Macys Gift Card and $50 Borders Gift Card. Just tell us what lightens up your day when feeling up or down to enter. 
   
Moms Buzz: Flu and Cold Season Must Haves - Editor's Hot Picks. Not only the holidays are fast approaching, but also the flu and cold season! Moms Buzz has tried all these products that we highly recommend to keep at home to tackle colds and the flu. 

One Chic Mama: Studio Style. Check out the hot new bag from Skip Hop! We're giving one away to a lucky reader! 
   
TheBump.com Is Giving Away Two M1093 IS Kodak EasyShare cameras! To win: Send us your favorite baby (or bump) bloopers. 
 

Christmas DVD Collection Giveaway

   

Oh, wow this is a great holiday giveaway! FOUR Christmas DVDs given away for FIVE winners! It can't get better than this.  Moms Buzz is happy to give away a Christmas DVD bundle of:

• Santa Claus the Movie!
• Eloise 'Little Miss Christmas'
• The Happy Elf
• Thomas & Friends 'Ultimate Christmas'

Moms Buzz Christmas DVD Collection Giveaway is valued at $299 in prizing!

To ENTER just sign up for our weekly newsletter. If you already receive our newsletter, click here to follow instructions.  One entry per person please and US residents only (sorry!). The giveaway runs from Tuesday, November 25 until Tuesday, December 15th at 11:59pm EST. Hurry, participate and tell your friends!

How to ‘Google’ better - Tips

 

Busy parents don't have time to go over pages and pages of search results when "googling" for something online.  Here are some cool tips on how to google better to help you cut down the time you spent searching, and get better results as well.

Pick a site. Hone in on a specific site by typing, for example, “site:theweek.com.”­ To limit searches to school or government domains, add “site:edu” or “site:gov.” To locate specific kinds of documents, add a file extension such as “filetype:pdf.”

Take a number. Include a numerical range with queries when possible. Results can easily be narrowed by placing two periods between the numbers—say, “Christmas movies 1998..2008” or “wool coats $200..$300.”

Get converted. Google can convert currency and units of measurement. Try typing in to the search box: “1,000 Thai baht in dollars.”

Check your stocks. If you’re strong of heart, type in a ticker symbol to get a real-time quote.

- The Moms Buzz

source: www.theweekdaily.com

Harry Potter "The Tales of Beedle and The Bard" Giveaway

If you are Harry Potter lover, you will love the newest wizardly classic from J.K. Rowling, "The Tales of Beedle and the Bard!" And, yes, Moms Buzz is giving it away for this holiday season!! Our giveaway is valued at $259 in prizing!  There is one lucky grand prize winner and 4 runners up! 

To ENTER just sign up for our weekly newsletter. If you already receive our newsletter, click here to follow instructions.  One entry per person please and US residents only (sorry!). The giveaway runs from Monday, November 24 until Monday, December 15th at 11:59pm EST.

Here is the detail of the giveaway:

(1) The Grand Prize winner receives a copy of the new book, The Tales of Beedle and The Bard, AND the complete Harry Potter Box Set as shown in the image!!

(4) Runners Up win a copy of the Tales of Beedle and The Bard.

Good luck!

- The Moms Buzz

Thanksgiving Dinner Tips and Shortcuts - Pumpkin Pie

In the past two days we have been giving you two essential tips on the stuffing and traditional gravy for your Thanksgiving dinner.  The next Thanksgiving tip is on the traditional Thanksgiving dessert, the pumpkin pie. 

As you know there are many recipes around for the traditional pumpkin pie, and some tricks to know too.  Chef Jason Parker of Westwood Country Club in Nothern Virginia gives the following tips and shortcuts to have wonderful and almost effortless pumpkin pie for this Thanksgiving feast.

1. Pre-bake the pie crust before you add the filling.  this helps keep the crust crisp and flaky underneath.
2. Brush the crust with slightly beaten egg white before you pre-bake it.  This helps keep the crust from getting too dry.
3. Don't over bake the pie.  This type of filling cracks when the pie is voer baked.
4. Keep the pie refrigerated after it cools.

Have a great prep week!

- The Moms Buzz

Klutz Holiday Fun Pack Giveaway

This holiday give the gift of fun with Klutz activity books!  Here is the scoop.  The lucky winner will get a pack of 5 activity books from the Klutz bookshelf wrapped in holiday packaging valued at $100! The giveaway starts today, Friday, November 21, 2008.

Here is how it works:

1. Please leave a 2-part comment at the end of this page. We want to know (1) If you were the lucky winner, who would you give this fun pack to?  (2) How did you hear about this giveaway?  You must provide the 2 answers in your comments. If you don't, you will not qualify!

2. Leave a VALID email so that we can contact you should you be the winner.

3. The winner is completely randomly chosen. Must be reside in the US or in Canada.

4. Participants must be 18 years of age or older to qualify as a winner. If you are selected as a winner, we will require you to fax us your a form of identification or driver's license. You may provide a scanned version of it. You may cover your driver's license number if you wish.

5. If you are the winner, we will ask you to provide us with VALID contact information such as your complete home address and telephone numbers so that we can contact you and ship your prize.

6.  The prizes will be emailed to you directly by Big Honcho Media.  So, please ensure you provide a VALID email address.

By the way, Klutz.com is running a special holiday promotion.  You can get free shipping & a FREE copy of their award winning Activity Book when you spend $50! (The activity book is called “The Only Coloring, Puzzle, Game, Dot-to Dot Activity Book You'll Ever Need,” valued at $14.95 and will be added to your shopping cart once you hit $50 mark.)

Click hereto go to Klutz.com & take advantage of this exclusive offer! This holiday offer is only available for a limited time.

The best of luck!

- The Moms Buzz

sponsor and co-sponsor: www.themomsbuzz.com, Big Honcho Media and www.Klutz.com

The Beans Closet "Gift of the Month" Giveaway

Moms Buzz is happy to pass on the buzz about this giveaway by Totsnob.com that we think many new moms will be happy to know about.  This is truly a giveaway that keeps on giving throughout a year to the lucky winner!  Totsnob.com is giving away a "Gift of the Month" collection. The "Gift of the Month" winner will receive one age appropriate gift beginning with their first month right up until her/his first birthday. Each month a special gift will be gift wrapped and shipped, along with a gift tag explaining the significance of the gift. This extraordinary prize is worth $360!! Keep in mind, this is not just for newborns, you can start at any age! 

If you like what you see in the image, then enter to win! To enter, click on the image above or simply click here. 

Good luck!

- The Moms Buzz

Sponsors: www.totsnob.com and THE BEANS CLOSET. 

Thanksgiving Dinner Tips and Shortcuts - Traditional Gravy

Yesterday, our Thanksgiving Dinner tip was on stuffing.  Today, we are giving you Chef Jason Parker's tips and shortcuts on how to make the traditional gravy.

Tips Two: Always make traditional gravy at the last minute.

• Save drippings from the turkey roasting pan and stock from simmering giblets for the best flavor.
• Use a wire whisk to stir the gravy to avoid lumps.
• Make sure to thoroughly cook the flour in the fat before adding the liquid to avoid a starchy taste. Always season with salt and pepper.
• Take turkey out of the oven, remove it from the pan, take out the stuffing if used, cover it with foil and let is rest while the gravy is made.
• Save about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of fat to make the gravy.
• Add flour to the fat in a roasting pan and whisk so the moisture is smooth. Cook on low for 2 minustes to cook out the flour.
• Add the broth made from the giblets until you get the desired thickness.

Until tomorrow when we will give the last Thanksgiving Dinner tip and shortcut on a traditional pumpkin pie.

- the Moms Buzz

Flu and Cold Season Must Haves - Editor's Hot Picks

Not only the holidays are fast approaching, but also the flu and cold season!  Moms Buzz has tried all these products that we highly recommend to keep at home to tackle colds and the flu.

The GermFree Humidifier by Vicks

• Vicks UV 99.999% Germ Free Humidifier
• Pure, sanitized warm mist—kills up to 99.999% of germs, mold, and bacteria in the water
• Worry-free, healthful moisture for you and your family
• Better breathing everyday
• No filters to buy or replace—ever!
• Use with Vicks VapoSteam or Kaz Inhalant
• Patented ultraviolet light process eradicates water bred germs
• Adjustable humidity control
• Three-year warranty
• 2 tanks for easy filling and longer run times
• 2-gallon capacity; operates up to 24 hours
• $99.99 at www.amazon.com

Vicks Soothing Vapors Plug-In Waterless Vaporizer

 

• Releases soothing Vicks vapors without water
• SoftGlow night-light
• Uses Vicks VapoPads VVP-6; five included
• Up to eight hours per pad
• One-year warranty
• $5.99 at www.amazon.com

Vicks ComfortFlex Digital Thermometer with Fever InSight Feature

• Faster readings; in as fast as eight seconds
• ComfortFlex tip makes temperature taking more comfortable.
• Professional accuracy
• Fever InSight large backlit display changes color to indicate temperature level.
• Oral, rectal, or underarm use
• Memory feature recalls and displays last temperature taken.
• Waterproof for easy, more thorough cleaning
• Automatic shutoff to help extend battery life
• Probe covers and storage case
• $9.98 at www.walmart.com.

Braun Thermoscan Ear Thermometer with ExacTemp Technology

 

• Professional accuracy. Flashing light and beep confirm positioning.
• On-Off button for easy control. Memory function stores 8 readings.
• Soft, flexible tip with filter detector. Lens Filter ejector for easy removal.
• Oral, rectal or underarm use
• Includes: 2 AA batteries - 21 lens filters and cap
• $49.75 at www.amazon.com.

Note: from our editorial policy we do not get compensated for mentioning a product or business in our posts.  For more info, please read our editorial policy or write to us at info @ themomsbuzz.com. For advertising opportunities, please contact, sales @ themomsbuzz.com.  To participate in Moms' Buzz free Monthly Deals Vendor Program, get details here.

BOW - The Best of the Web - Weekly Roundup

Today, Moms Buzz is happy to bring you B.O.W. - the Best Of the Web in a weekly roundup of posts from fine blogs and sites featuring fashion, beauty, lifestyle, parenting and much more.

Style, Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle and Health

Fashion Pulse: Michelle Obama's Look.
Love Michelle Obama’s look? So do we! Check out some of our fashionable suggestions for the future First Lady!

GlamSpirit
What do women want? Lesley Jane Seymour, Editor in Chief for MORE Magazine, speaks to this age old question in an exclusive interview.

Moms Buzz: Laundering Toys, Gear and More - Tips
Yes, you can launder all sorts of random things more than you think you can. Below is a list of some of the things you can machine-wash.

Couture in the City
Now heres a fashion wardrobe idea for you. For your look this fall, combine a grey turtleneck dress. With a double wrap belt and of course that essential a - Rebecca Minkoff handbag.

 

The Ultimate Reader Prize Pack Giveaway - Reminder

This is the last week to participate in this wonderful book giveaway.  It ends next Monday, November 24!! Hurry don't let this get out of your hands!

 The giveaway is promoting Take Me Back, the new reference book on Universal History from the stone age to the digital age, especially designed for kids. This is a must-have reference book to have at home! Win up to $250 worth of books, including a $50 gift certificate in Amazon.com and 4 runner-up prizes!!

To participate click here or the image below.

History may repeat itself, but there is no need to make the same old history book over and over. From the creators of the award-winning, New York Times Bestsellers Pick Me Up and Do Not Open comes Take Me Back--a journey throughout history like never before!  Rock out at a gory Aztec festival, read the blog of Louis XVI’s closest confidant, take a pinball tour of Celtic Europe, and check out Alexander the Great’s fan site.  With content that's comprehensive, irreverent and witty, Take Me Back is bound to become a classic.

Best of luck!

Buying Safe Toys for the Holidays

After so many recalls on toys with lead content or chocking hazards in others, parents must always pay attention now when buying toysfor their children.  Although Congress recently passed a law that sets tougher standards and toy safety is mandatory, many of the new lead laws do not kick in until February 2009 or later, well after the holiday shopping season.  Because buying toys should also be fun for parents, here are 4 simple strategies for buying safe toys for this holiday season and feel good about it. 

Some of these safety strategies for buying safe toys you may already know, but a friendly reminder does not hurt.  Remember, buying toys should be fun so don't let this discourage you. 

Four Safety Strategies for Buying Safe Toys

1. Know what toys to avoid. For example, avoid metal jewelry, magnets of any kind, squeezable soft plastic toys or books if you have an infant or toddler, anything that does not say "no phthalates" on the package. 
2. Buy According to kid's age.  Look for the recommended age on the package. Age grading is more than a friendly hint.  It can alert you to a possible choking hazard (i.e. presence of small parts) and affect toy's play value.  A toys designated for an older kid could be a source of frustration to a younger kid.
3. Check for recalls.  Before shopping, go to www.cpsc.gov to see which toys have been recalled. Moms Buzz usually posts about recalls of popular toys, childrenen furniture and apparel.  
4. Watch where you shop.  Be leery of drugstores, airports and dollar stores.  They have been known for carrying sometimes unsafe toys.

Have a wonderful holiday season and be smart about buying safe toys!

- The Moms Buzz

The Little Black Dress for the Holidays

We know, not only the holidays are just about to knock at our doors within a few weeks, but also all the social gatherings that come with the season.  In this post, we are going to give you some fashion tips for the holidays with simplicity, in one solid color and with a few bucks!

One of our favorite fashion blogs, Couture in the City, had this morning a great post about the little black dress that will takes us to all those holiday commitments with degree!  Here are some of the dresses and hot holiday trends they recommend for the holidays and that won't break your wallet! :)

Party Dress

Gap Strapless Tiered Ruffle Dress, $78.00

Office

Mossimo Ruffle Sleeve Sweater Dress, $24.99 at Target.com

Date Dress

A.B.S. Shirred Strap V-Neck Dress,. $79.90 at HSN.com

 

Get that little black dress for the holidays before they are gone!

- The Moms Buzz

Laundering Toys, Gear and More - Tips

Just this morning Moms Buzz was talking to another mom who needed to get a new backpack for her son because it was totaled.  I told her I toss my kids' backpacks in the washer.  "What???" was her reaction.  Yes, you can launder all sorts of random things more than you think you can.  Sarah Stebbins of www.realsimple.com wrote an article, "How to Clean Toys, Gear and More" this past April about all those sorts of random things you can put in the washing machine. 

 

Below is a list of some of the things you can machine-wash. You will find out that laundering toys, gear and more will save you not only money, but trips to the dry cleaners.

Backpacks

Wash alone in a front-loader on gentle in cold water with all-purpose detergent. Don’t wash multicolored packs; the dyes may bleed.

Cloth Purses and Tote Bags

“People put them on car and restaurant floors — they’re some of the dirtiest things we own,” says Sandra Phillips, a cleaning consultant and the author of A Clean Break (Live-Right Books, $10, www.amazon.com). Wash on delicate in warm water with all-purpose detergent. Air-dry. Don’t wash purses with sequins or other embellishments.

BOW - The Best of the Web - Weekly Roundup

Today, Moms Buzz is happy to bring you B.O.W. - the Best Of the Web in a weekly roundup of posts from fine blogs and sites featuring fashion, beauty, lifestyle, parenting and much more.

Style, Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle and Health

Fashion Pulse: Comme des Garcons for H&M!
Find out what and where you can expect the new limited-edition Comme des Garcons collection for H&M!

Moms Buzz: Tips on Managing Your Inbox
Busy moms don’t have much time to be on email, and our inboxes fill up quickly from differemt sources. Here are some tips to help you manage your inbox and keep it clean!

Yoga for the Common Cold
Find out how yoga can help ease your cold symptoms.

Couture in the City - Kate Moss Exclusive! Enter To Win Her Latest Book By Laura Collins!
Couture in the City is proud to present along side Pan Macmillan publishers. The exclusive introduction and giveaway of the latest book by Laura Collins! This sensational book - titled ‘Kate Moss - The Complete Picture’ is an unauthorized biography of the iconic supermodel.

Baby's First Utterance - What They Mean

For those first time moms, and even seasoned moms having babies again, don't let your baby's first utterance get lost in translation.  Below  is a list of the various sounds your baby makes and what they mean.

THE SOUND	WHAT IT MEANS
Gurgle	Your baby has a lot of extra spit! And when she plays with it in her throat, she makes those beloved gurgling sounds.
Grunt	These throaty sounds occur when your baby experiments with her voice. She may also grunt if she is stuffed up.
Sign	Nom baby's not bored. She has taken in a little extra oxygen and is letting it out before breathing in again.
Coo	Baby sometimees coos in response to a voice, so when you something, she will coo back.

Welcome to your first mother-baby talks!

- The Moms Buzz

source: Nurture newsletter from Enfamil Family Beginnings

Picture People Giveaway

    

Just in time for the holidays, Tot Snob is having a giveaway to win one of three holiday packages of professional pictures and holiday cards at the Picture People!  The Grand Prize winner will receive a $216 gift certificate for the Debut Collection valued at $216.00. Two Runner Up winners will receive a set of postcards, which includes 25 4x7 exclusive postcards and envelopes. Two Runner Up Winner will receive Gift Certificate for $59.95.

Check out more details here. It is fun to participate in the Picture People Giveaway.  All you need to do is leave a comment here at Tot Snob about what you tell your tots about Santa Claus, or if they are still too young, tell what you intend on telling them. This contest will end on Sunday Nov. 9th at 11:59pm EST. One entry per household please.

Good luck!

- The Moms Buzz

Alternative Remedies to Cold and Cough Medicine

As you have recently learned and heard on the news, the  American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is recommending that children under 6  should not be administered cold and  cough medicine due to potential side affects and unproven benefits.  Currently, the FDA's advisory has been for children under 2. 

Below, here are some safe, natural remedies for children of all ages if you’re in search of alternative treatments given the FDA’s advisory and AAP's recommendation against use of cold and cough medicine in kids.

Alternative Remedies to Cold and Cough Medicine

Capsules, Powders, & Potions Beware:  Keep in mind that herbal supplements should not be given to children.  Vitamins should only be given under the direction of the pediatrician.  The FDA doesn't regulate OTC supplements.  Because young bodies process drugs differently, kids may be especially vulnerable to side effects.  
 
No Honey for Infants:  Honey should not be given to children under the age of one as it may contain bacterial spores that can cause infant botulism, a rare and serious form of food poisoning.  Infant botulism affects a baby's nervous system and can result in death.

Cold and Flu Central - Our Pick for this Week

Fall is a beautiful because of the foliage and the weather is still mild and pleasant, but it is also the start of the cold and flu season.  Busy moms, get ready for the cold and flu season because it really takes a lot of our time and energy as well as those of our little ones and spouses.  Because of this, our website pick for this week is Cold and Flu Central.  

 The site is a wonderful resouce of information and tips on fighting a cold, the flu, tips on interpreting temperature and much more. There is also one section, "Get Tips from the MommyDocs" contributed by MommyDocs, another wonderful and reliable site with lots of health care tips for moms by 2 mom doctors. 

Get all your questions answered in these 2 sites, Cold and Flu Central and MommyDocs. And, do not forget to bookmark them! 

- The Moms Buzz