Top Table Manners Every Kid Should Have

Yesterday's post was about table manner tips, and today is about what those table manners are that our children should know about.  Here are the top table manners every kid should have:

This and That: EasyBloom Plant Sensor

 

It is officially Spring, we all want to socialize with our season friends flowers, and for your that, you will love this must-have gadget if gardening is not your strength.  With EasyBloom Plant Sensor, anyone can have a green thumb. This is how it works - wonders - that is!

Keep these in Your Medicine Cabinet

Don't you feel that after a long Winter season of family members being sick your medicine cabinet is packed with half-used, expired, almost empty, unused, and many other medicines you do not remember what they were for?

Here is a nice outline of the best medicines you ought to have all the time in your house by the Consumers Report Shop Smart Magazine.  Disposing of expired medicines or cold medicines about to expire and that you know you will not use anymore, is a nice way to start your Spring cleaning.

How to Fan-Fold a Napkin - Tips on Video

The other day a neighbor asked Moms Buzz if the blog had anything about folding a napkin like restaurants do because she wanted to add an elegant and stylish touch to her dinner table. Moms Buzz knew right off the bat that there wasn't exactly what she was looking for, so for the record, here it is now - how to fold a napkin like a fan just as restaurants do or how they do for weddings. 

Watch and learn how to fan-fold a napkin!

In summary, here are the 6 simple steps to follow:

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!

Step away in the a.m. “Establish your day’s top priorities” before ever opening your inbox. Begin with creative or urgent work first, mail second.

Give it time. Don’t leap to answer every time you hear a new e-mail arrive. “Better yet, turn off the alert sound.” If you must check your inbox regularly, choose as long an interval as possible—try two hours.

Wait to respond, especially to mass e-mails. Ask yourself, “Does everybody really need to weigh in?” Often, interoffice e-mails “generate more work for everyone.”

Single-task. To avoid mistakes, give your full attention to incoming and outgoing messages. “Don’t e-mail while doing something else.”

Lie about your whereabouts. E-mail systems allow you to “create an outgoing message that says you’re out of the office.” You can also use it when you’re in the office and just “need an e-mail break.”

Source: O magazine

Keeping Your Walls Clean - Tips

Has your kid stuck decals all over his bedroom walls or your toddler left his nice litle handprints on your kitchen walls?  Here are some tips on keeping your walls clean to keep them like new again!

Keeping Your Walls Clean

Remove the evidence. “Light switches, door frames, and stairways are all magnets” for fingerprints and hand smudges. “Your favorite all-purpose cleaner” should be fine to remove them. But to assure that washed areas blend with the unwashed, “go over the once-dirty spot again with a water-dampened sponge.”

Tackle trouble spots. A soft cloth and “citrus-based cleaner like Goo Gone” are what you need if your child has been inspired by Harold and the Purple Crayon and left a trail along your walls. Once the “waxy artwork” has dissolved, rinse the spot with soap and water.

Peel away the memories. Has your kid stuck decals all over his bedroom walls? Soften the adhesives with “heat from a blow-dryer (for 10 seconds or so), then peel.” Gently loosen any remaining gunk with a cotton swab and laundry-stain remover. Then “carefully scrape it off with a credit card or spatula.”

_ The Moms Buzz

Sources: The Week and Good Housekeeping

Top 10 Dirty Sites in the Home

Do you know which are the top 10 dirty sites in your home? If you don't you better find out now to take proper action and avoid infections and disease at home. 

Top 10 Dirty Sites in the Home

1. Sponge or Counter Wiping Cloth - Kitchen
2. Kitchen Sink Drain - Kitchen
3. Tub - Bathroom
4. Toilet Bowl ( Under Rim ) - Bathroom
5. Toilet Floor - Bathroom
6. Kitchen Floor - Kitchen
7. Kitchen Faucet Handle - Kitchen
8. Bathroom Sink - Bathroom
9. Pet Food Dish
10. Kitchen Table Top

Higher bacterial counts are found on the more commonly touched/trafficked (soiled) sites and at wet sites. Bacteria grow better in the presence of moisture, and can grow and divide every 20 minutes. One single bacteria cell can become more than 8 million cells in less than 24 hours!! Oh, my!

Keep those top 10 dirty sites in the home clean!

- The Moms Buzz

source and image: www.lysol.com

Picnic Tips to Avoid Foodborne Illnesses

This is the time of the year we all love to do some picnicking with friends and family.  But, the warm weather means a higher risk of foodborne illnesses.  Shop Smart tells us how to pack your picnic basket the proper way to avoid foodborne illnesses.

Pack it right:

1. A full cooler will keep its cold temperature longer than one that's partially filled.
2. Wrap raw meat, fish, and poultry to prevent juices from contaminating other foods.
3. Don't let coolers cook in the sun.

Prep it right:

1. If you marinate meat, fish, or poultry before grilling, never reuse the marinate unless it's been boiled to destroy the bacteria.
2. Keep marinating food in the cooler until ready to grill.
3. Cook meats completely at the picnic site, not partially beforehand.
4. Don't use the same platter before and after you grill. Bacteria from raw food contaminate cooked food.

Cook it right:

1. Keep hot foods hot (over 140 degrees F) and cold foods cold (below 40 degrees F).
2. Use meat thermometer when you grill to keep track of temperature.
3. Color is not an indication of doneness!!

Serve it right:

1. Don't let food sit out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if the  temperature is above 90 degrees F.
2. If food stays out longer, toss it.
3. The acidity in some foods like mayonnaise and salad dressings may have a slight preservative effect, but don't take a chance.

- The Moms Buzz

source: Shop Smart, July 2008 Edition

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

Today, Tuesday, 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.  We also want to welcome our new member of BOW, Shopalicious, a shopping, fashion and accessories blog!

Style, Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle and Health

Shopalicious: Bloggers Play Dress-up at the Diane von Furstenberg Store. Shopalicious was one of ten lucky bloggers to take part in this event... see the photo shoot here!

Couture in the City: Exclusive ELLIOTT LUCCA Handbags Giveaway! Starts June 6th! Our exclusive giveaway this month is the ELLIOTT LUCCA handbag collection! Couture in the City with ELLIOTT LUCCA are joining to give away five handbags for the month of June! This extravaganza begins Friday June 6th.

Glam Spirit: Pretty Isn't (Always) Sexy. Discover your sexiest qualities (hint: they probably aren't what you think!)

Stylenotes: Stylenotes Reviews Alexander Wang for Uniqlo. Stylenotes stopped by Japanese mega-retailer Uniqlo in Soho, NYC this weekend to report on the latest designer capsule collection: Alexander Wang for Uniqlo.

Parenting, Family, Kids, Moms & Little Couture

Boston Mamas: Magnetic Appeal. Perfect for summer travel are Mudpuppy's compact vinyl sticker play scenes and magnetic play tins, in beautifully illustrated themes for boys and girls.

Classy Mommy Giveaway: Playskool Rose Petal Cottage. We're giving away a Playskool Rose Petal Cottage with lots of goodies included too! 
   
Clever Parents: Helping Children with Separation and Divorce. Many families face the challenge of divorce or separation. Whatever the causes of the separation, and whatever the circumstances, it’s hard on everyone involved. Parents want the best for their children. They want stable, loving relationships in their lives. And they want their children to thrive. Yet big changes must be made.
   
MomFinds: Win a Pair of Kids' Cobian Sandals. Three lucky winners will win a pair of these adorable sandals. Choose from shark, lion and zebra design.

Moms Buzz: Monthly Rewind for April and May 2008. Moms Buzz is happy to bring you a monthly rewind of over 50 posts published in the months of April and May in case you missed any of them. You will be able to see all the posts titles at a glance in this single post
   
One Chic Mama: Moms Rock. Tell us why moms rock (how do they not?) and you can win one of 3 "Moms Rock" tee shirts!
   
The Nest Baby: Dad's Day Gift Guide & Giveaway. From the Flip video camera to the manliest diaper bags and baby carriers, we've got all the coolest daddy gifts... and are giving them away! Enter now to win a gift he'll go crazy for.

TotSnob: TotSnob found the ultimate toddler travel solution...Phil and Teds Full-Size Travel Bed is perfect when you have a little one on vacation!
   
We Covet: Pin Up Girl Bracelet We Covet. This handmade clear resin bracelet beats getting a pin-up girl tattoo any day. Avoid needless tattoo removal expenses, buy stylish accessories instead!
 

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

Today, Tuesday, 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

Glam Spirit: Au Natural: Laughter Is the Best Medicine . Click here for a quick and fun pick-me-up.
   
A Girl's Gotta Spa! wonders if you are in need of some beauty sleep. 5 essential products for a more restful sleep
   
Makeup Minute found a must-have product for her summer makeup bag. Check out this smudgeproof eyeliner to start your summer right!

Stylenotes: Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, & Jimmy Choo. We've got the skinny on the 3 chic-est shoe designers around -- Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, and Jimmy Choo.



Parenting, Family, Kids, Moms & Little Couture

Moms Buzz: What to Pack for a Road Trip.  Many may have decided to travel by car rather by air due to the rise of airfares as a result the increasing fuel prices. Here are some travel tips for the busy mom on what to pack for a road trip, especially since we pack for almost the whole family, read about what the travel essentials are.

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

Today, Tuesday, 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: Kate Moss Win’s Glamour’s Top Fashion Award. Fashion icon Kate Moss was given the annual best-dressed womens’ award at the top of Glamour Magazine’s List, replacing 2007 winner Kylie Minogue who slumped to 19th this year. 
   
A Girl's Gotta Spa! rates Aqua Tan the Best Self Tanner!. Aqua Tan blows away other self tanners on the market--a definite must-have!
   
Makeup Minute is loving clump free volumized lashes. Spinlash is the newest mascara tool to help you achieve gorgeous lashes. 
   
Stylenotes: Beauty Buzz -- The Best Mascara for Your Buck. We’ve tested dozens of mascara, to bring you the very best from volumizing, lengthening, waterproof, and more, in a price range of $1.99-$23.
   

Parenting, Family, Kids, Moms & Little Couture

Boston Mamas: Let Them Eat Cake! Thanks to Cherrybrook Kitchen baking mixes, kids and adults with allergies can happily indulge in treat time.
   
Classy Mommy: Interview with Dr. Bob Sears author of the Vaccine Book. Classy Mommy had a chance to do a Q&A chat with Dr. Bob Sears, author of The Vaccine Book. Read all about it here!

Clever Parents: Party Talk: Creating & Connecting at Sunday Brunch. Spring is in the air and that means Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are upon us. Skip the fancy restaurant this year - it’s time for brunch entertaining and connecting with one another in your home.
   
Healthy Bump: Bummis. The Bummis complete diapering kit is a perfect start for new moms.

MomFinds: Win a Deluxe Learning Kit for Your Little Reader. Teach your baby to read with over $120 worth of books, word cards and interactive DVDs from Your Baby Can Read.
   
Moms Buzz: Keep Your Husband in Style! Men's Trend for Spring 2008. Fashion is also hot for men this Spring 2008. There is always something trendy for all men's style. This Spring season, men's trend is characterized by...find out!

One Chic Mama: Tangerine Dream. With bold colors hot this season, citrus spiked hues add a dash of warmth and a burst of color.
   
The Nest Baby: Bump Contest. Don't forget to submit your belly pic to the bump contest! Then, browse and vote for your faves -- winner gets a trip to Jamaica!
   
We Covet: Life Saver We Covet. The brilliant Shemergency Survival Kit has just about old thing you might need in a pinch.

How to Fold a Sweater - Tips

Continuing with our series of how to fold items that we usually struggle with, today's post is about how to fold a sweater.  Last week, we learned about how to fold a fitted sheet, and the previous week about how to fold a round tablecloth. 

Below is step-by-step guideline on how to fold a sweater to reduce wrinkles and minimize bulk.

Step 1: Lay the sweater facedown, then fold each arm straight across.

Step 2: Fold over one side to the middle.

Step 3: Fold over the other side, so that the sleeve edges meet in the center.

Step 4: Fold up once or twice, depending on the length and bulk of the sweater and the depth of your storage space. Flip over.

Now you got a perfectly folded and wrinkle-free sweater without the bulk!

- The Moms Buzz

source and images: www.realsimple.com

How to Fold a Fitted Sheet - Tips

Folding a fitted sheet so that it looks neat and decently wrinkle-free is quite a struggle if you really don't know how to do it well.  For the busy mom who needs quick solutions, here are 6 easy steps that will guide you on how to fold a fitted sheet and say good-bye to to the wrinkly mess. 

Step 1: Lay the sheet on a bed or a large table and fold in and smooth all the edges.

Step 2: Fold in half horizontally, sliding the top gathered end into the pocket of the bottom gathered end. If the sheet's sides are ungathered, lay them flat; if gathered, slide them in, too.

Step 3: Fold in half horizontally again.

Step 4: Fold the bulky end horizontally to the middle of the sheet.

Step 5: Then fold over the smooth end.

Step 6: Fold lengthwise in thirds, or to your desired size.

Voilá, you got a perfectly folded fitted sheet. You may fold it to the desired size and shape so that it matches the form of the other sheet.

Moms Buzz is sure you will perfect this tecnique in 1-2-3 trials.

Start in your next laundry load!

- The Moms Buzz

source and image: www.realsimple.com

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

Today, Tuesday, 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. We are happy to present you 2 new fine blogs that have becoome part of BOW: A Girl's Gotta Spa and Makeup Minute.   

Style, Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle and Health

Couture in the City: Fashion Chic and Couture - Indulge in Spring Styles this Season. Continuing in the vein of the spring season, yesterday we were keeping up with our beauty regime. Today we are focusing on our fashion and styles for spring.
   
A Girl's Gotta Spa! Does Clairol's Perfect 10 hit the mark or miss the bullseye? A Girl's Gotta Spa! weighs in on the good & the bad of Clairol's new Perfect 10. Definitely read this review if you are thinking about using it!
   
Work it Mom!: Expensive strollers, face creams, and vacuums. Are these high end products worth the hype? Is the Bugaboo worth the $800 price tag? What about La Mer cream or the Dyson? Sound off with your opinions!
   
Makeup Minute: Makeup Minute loves Christopher Kane's Juicy Tubes World Tour! Red Hot New York will leave you looking red hot with Christopher Kane's collaboration with Lancome for their newest Juicy Tubes.    

Stiletto Jungle: Louis Vuitton Montorgueil Handbag. Feel caught between a 20-something's starter LV and a 50-something's massive monogram Louis? We've found a Louis Vuitton for the rest of us.
   
Stylenotes: The Latest Trends in Maternity Wear. Shop the latest trends in maternity wear without having to dip into your child’s college fund. Stylenotes shows you how to get chic dresses, shoes, tops, and more at affordable prices.

Glam Spirit: Want the Body of a Ballerina? Give your workout a twist. Try a routine that is fun, different, and guaranteed to give you grace and poise along with a knockout bod!

Parenting, Family, Kids, Moms & Little Couture

Tot Snob: WIN! - Arte Bebe Fantasy Shopping Cart. The rules are simple, choose up to $175 worth of merchandise from Arte Bebe and put the names of the merchandise in our comments. We will pick one winner at random and the winner will win everything that was listed!

Boston Mamas: Chittypulga Goodies! There's just a few days left to enter to win a Fleurville diaper bag PLUS a $100 gift certificate to fill up the Fleurville with fabulous finds from Chittypulga! 
   
Classy Mommy: Cabbage Patch Kids Fun to Feed Baby. Talk about a blast from the past! How fun to see my little girl enjoying one of these dolls. Check out review here on the latest Cabbage Patch Doll. 
   
Clever Parents: Exercises to Wake You and Your Kids Up!  The first thing you should do in the morning before getting out of bed is to stretch. 
   
Healthy Bump: Win a Zoobie! Zoobie Pets are patented, award winnng, plush animals that turn into pillows and blankets. Enter now by visiting the Healthy Bump Blog. 
   
MomFinds: Win a $100 Shopping Spree at Joggermom.com. Need a new stroller? Enter this week's giveaway by telling us how you'd spend the $100 if you won the prize.
   
Moms Buzz: "What You Owe to Your Kids" by Donald Trump. Here is an interesting article Moms Buzz found in Trump University blog written by Donald Trump himself about "What You Owe to Your Kids." In his article, the famous business whiz gives parents of older children an advice on how to make your children financially responsible, how to deal with financial setbacks and manage money.

One Chic Mama: Feed Your Baby in Cushy Comfort. We review the Cuddoozle Nursing Pillow. It's make from memory foam and has it's own little sidekick pillow to offer extra support. 
   
The Nest Baby: Interactive Chinese Gender Chart. Found in an ancient royal tomb near Beijing, this Chinese gender chart -- now in flash and interactive -- is said to be over 90% accurate. Skeptical? Try it out yourself and help us figure out just jow accurate it really is.
 

 

B.O.W. - Weekly RoundUp of the Best of the Web!

Today, Tuesday, 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

Glamspirit: A Must-Have for Your Medicine Cabinet. Discover the Wonders of Tea Tree Oil.
 
Couture in the City: Dvb Jeans by David and Victoria Beckham.  Okay so its official – I am giving up chocolate. And chips. And the occasional glass of wine I so soooo love. Actually I may as well give up eating all together if I am going to be able to indulge the latest love of my life. Yes, I have fallen again for the impossible, the gorgeous, the have to have latest buy that just happens to come in a size zero and is designed to make a size 4 look like a candidate for Jenny Craig.

Shrimpton Couture Contest: Win $100 by sending in your suggestions!
   
Stiletto Jungle: Is Dreaming Tommy Hilfiger Delicious? Three real-world women review the newest fragrance from Tommy Hilfiger.

Stylenotes: Win a $100 Montgomery Ward Gift Certificate. Register for a chance to win a $100 Montgomery Ward Gift Certificate from stylenotes starting on Tuesday, March 25th at 10am. Montgomery Ward offers an array of products ranging from home decor, furniture and bedding to fitness, pet care, jewelry,and apparel.

Parenting, Family, Kids & Moms

Tot Snob Contest - Travel Horror Stories. Tot Snob wants to hear your worst travel horror story for a chance to win the CARES seat belt.

Boston Mamas: Food Fight. To serve the need for repeated mealtime tee changes with a dose of humor and sass, there’s food fight’s impressive menu of trendy onesies and tees for babies and kids.
   
Clever Parents: Organization-Motivation: ABC, MP3. Looking for a little organization inspiration? Check out this play list to groove - and get organized too. 
   
Coochicoos: The Perfect Playhouse Design Competition. 10 Grain and coochicoos.com sponsor a kid's design competition - "What's your perfect playhouse?" 
   
Healthy Bump: Baby Celebration LA. Call your best friends or moms and plan to spend the entire day at Baby Celebration LA April 12 & 13, 2008! If you went to Baby Celebration LA last year you know that it is a truly magical experience! Guess what? It is even more exciting this year!
   
MomFinds: The Best Time-Savers for New Moms. Your day is hectic enough, so we've rounded up a few of our favorite time-saving products to use with baby, at home and on-the-go to make life easier.
   
Moms Buzz: 10 Commandments of Pregnancy Exercise. For those busy moms who are expecting their first baby, second or other #, and love to and can exercise, here are 10 handful tenets worth warding.

One Chic Mama: A Tutu for Your Tee. We review Tu for Tee's adorable new spring collection - make sure you register to win one for your daughter!
   
The Nest Baby: DwellStudio Crib Set Giveaway. One lucky user will win a crib set of her choice from DwellStudio! Submit your best nursery decorating tip to be eligible.
   

How to Fold a Round Tablecloth

Moms Buzz is bringing a new weekly series of housekeeping tips on how to fold the hardest things at home. These are usually items that we struggle getting them in a nice, neat and perfectly folded shape. Examples are:

• a fitted sheet
• a long dress shirt
• a napkin
• the newspaper
• a business letter
• round tablecloth
• a sweater

Today, we will start with how to fold a round tablecloth.  Below are 4 easy steps that will make your housekeeping easier.

How to Fold a Round Tablecloth

Step 1: Lay the tablecloth flat, then fold in half into a half-moon.

Step 2: Bring the rounded edge toward the straight fold, so the round end meets the middle of the cloth's flat edge.

Step 3: Fold in half lengthwise.

Step 4: Fold in thirds, or to your desired size.

- Easy does it!

- The Moms Buzz

source and images: www.realsimple.com

B.O.W. - Weekly RoundUp of the Best of the Web!

Today, Tuesday, 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. 

Work It Mom!: Cashmere Basics. Think cashmere is too expensive? Tough to maintain? Think again. Susan shares her thoughts on why every busy mom deserves a classic cashmere piece and some tips for choosing quality cashmere and keeping it clean.
   
Couture in the City: West Coast Style, Courtesy of LC: Lauren Conrad’s New Collection.
Well, there’s been some buzz behind LC’s new line for a while now…and the much anticipated runway kind of left me lukewarm. Part of me gets it, another part says that I’ve seen it all before. Check it out for yourself.
 
GlamSpirit: Preserve Your Youth Naturally (and Deliciously too!) Discover the secret ingredient for lasting youth....   
   
Moms Buzz: A Summer Camp Planner to Get Organized! When Spring approaches, it basically means for moms that we need to start planning for the Summer Camps. You can now consolidate your notes into a Summer Camp Planner that Moms Buzz created for you. Download it now!

Señora Cartera: Handbag Color Of The Week. Find out why Louis Vuitton's latest handbag color creation is the "must-have" hue of the week.
   
Shrimpton Couture: A Real Life Vintage Spot.

Stiletto Jungle: Maintain Your Manicure. Keep your hands in fabulous shape between manicures with these easy tips.
   
Stylenotes: 25%-50% Off Simply Vera Vera Wang. Get 25%-50% Off Simply Vera Vera Wang at Kohl's.

Boston Mamas: Mabel's Labels. Save yourself the hassle of ironing or sewing on labels, and the expense of replacing lost, unlabeled clothing with Mabel's Labels.
   
Clever Parents: Bonkiebags from Hollister and Newman. Looking for a comfortable and luxurious way to put your baby to bed? We have reviewed our fair share of wearable blankets and swaddlers for baby’s sleepy-time. So when we heard about Babybonkies and Bonkiebags, we figured we knew what they were all about. Boy were we wrong. 
   
Healthy Bump: 100% Adorable and Organic. Obli Organics has absolutely adorable and hip outfits all made with 100% certified organic cotton.
   
Modern Mom: 10 Questions with Jodie Foster. American icon Jodie Foster is not only one of the queens of modern cinema, she's also a devoted hands-on mom to two young boys. She spoke to Modern Mom about respecting your children for who they are, embracing imperfection, and loving comfortable shoes.
   
MomFinds: Win a 'Luck of the Stylish' EuroTote Baby Carrier. We're giving away a fabulous green EuroTote just in time for St. Patrick's Day. Good luck!
   
One Chic Mama: Kick off your high-heeled sneakers. Keds vintage-inspired hi-wedges catapult your feet right into spring! 
   
Swanky Moms: BCLA PreEvent with Radio Disney. Baby Celebration LA…which is due at the LA Convention Center South Hall – Hall K April 12-13 is doing a pre-event with Radio Disney…actually a couple of them and you probably want to know…’cause there are great prizes…really great!


 

How to Dry Flowers Tips & Techniques

With many trees and flowers already blooming across the country, you can make nice arrangements of either fresh or dried flowers. Fresh flower arrangements give your that beautiful Spring scent and touch. An alternative, as you know, is to dry flowers at home to prolong that Spring enjoyment.  If you have a garden in your back or front yard, it's even more fun and enjoyable.  Besides, it's so easy to dry flowers that you can teach your children to help you and have some fun together on a weekend.   

The video below demonstrates 3 ways to dry flowers: Air drying, Air drying with the use of silica gel and Air drying with the use of silica gel and heat. You really don't need much material as it is pretty straight forward and most likely you have already almost everything at home. 

Have a great weekend!

- The Moms Buzz

source of video: www.thenewsroom.com

B.O.W. - Weekly RoundUp of the Best of the Web!

Today, Tuesday, 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. 

Couture in the City: Spring Hair and Makeup Trends. Tell your winter makeup and hair to take a hike for a while…it’s spring and it’s time to lighten up that look! Black nails with a floral print sun dress? I think not. Check out these cute spring hair and makeup trends to update your look for this season.
   
Stylenotes: Fashion Week Paris: Show Reviews and Get the Look for Less. Check out our Paris Fashion Week reviews on Balenciaga, Christian Dior, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton, while picking up some examples of how to get the “runway look for less!"
   
Moms Buzz: Expectant Moms Giveaway! 10 Pregnancy Books to Giveaway! Whether you are an expectant mom or not, you will certainly want to participate in this giveaway. As women and moms, we always happen to know someone who's expecting, who truly needs to know the real deal about being pregnant. Enter to win!
   
Shrimpton Couture Present The Daily VFQ. Check out the new feature at Shrimpton Couture - fashion quotes from the past!
   
Stiletto Jungle: Best Brow Enhancers. From perfectly polished to super low-maintenance, Stiletto Jungle names the best products for fabulous brows.

Boston Mamas: Fight the Tide. Not only will GreenDimes fight your junk mail and catalogue tide for you (one registration covers up to 8 household members!); they'll plant new trees on your behalf.
   
Classy Mommy: Video Review of Horizon Organic Milk. Horizon Organic Milk passed the taste test with my 2 year old daughter Mackenzie. She loved slurping it down in her non-toxic Boon "Fluid" sippy cup!
   
Clever Parents: Kushies Baby, An Oasis in a Sea of Elmo and Dora. In a time when parents are bombarded with toys and baby products on television, videos, in Internet emails and every day life, it is surprising that finding a great, simple toy can be such a challenge. One trip down the aisle of a big box store is enough to send a parent over the plastic, characterized, noisy, battery-operated edge. What’s a Clever Parent to do?
   
Coochicoos: How Do You Make Dinosaur Soup? Ask your kids how to make their favorite dish and it just might be put in a book.   
   
MomFinds: The Best Rain Gear for Stylish Kids. Puddle-worthy rain boots, seriously slick raincoats and the most colorful umbrellas that will brighten up the gloomiest day.
   
One Chic Mama: Affordable Organics for Mom and Baby. Otopia Organics body products for mamas and babies are free from harmful chemicals and toxins. They’re also more affordable than you might think.

Swanky Moms: Snap Totes. I have a Snap Tote and I will tell you, I receive compliments on it ALL the time!! Even a handful of men have asked me where I got my bag!! I have handed out lots of business cards and given out the name of this wonderful company as I truly love my Snap Tote! It has a photo of my beautiful boys on it and I'm proud to carry it around.... 

Spring Cleaning with Kids - Clever Tips

ankAh little and/or young helpers can make up a fantastic cleaning crew at home! As Spring starts knocking at our doors soon, you may want to enroll your kids into your Spring cleaning chores through clever cleaning assignments.  Children love to help and feel useful to parents so  don't truncate their natural disposition to collaborate.  Although it may take longer to get a chore done or require more creativity and some child psychology, the more they help you, the more they will always help you as they grow up.

 

So, here are some tips that you could use to engage your kids in Spring cleaning in the weeks to come.

Clever and Fun Tips to Engage Your Kids into Spring Cleaning

1. Make a "to do" list that's clever and inspiring.
2. Keep cleaning sessions short. A 5- or 10-minute clean-up session, accompanied by upbeat music, is something the whole family can get into.
3. Find chores for all ages. Preschoolers enjoy helping with clean up, and can easily dust. Elementary-age children are experts at polishing. Teens can wipe car interiors clean, etc.
4. Assign animal attributes. Make a joke about each person's cleaning style, likening it to the behavior of a particular animal: turtle (slow and steady), etc.
5. Play Dust Ball Derby. Whoever finds the biggest dust bunny gets to choose a movie for family film night — or play DJ for your next 10-minute tidying session.
6. Spray and wash. Your teenager, a garden hose, and a bottle of window cleaner designed to be attached to the hose can make your outdoor windows sparkle in no time.
7. Be gone books. Have each family member gather three or four books she doesn't need anymore and designate a box in the car as a collection point.
8. Gather old clothes, toys, and DVDs the same way. Give kids "credits" every time they donate something to the box.
9. Repaint your child's bedroom. There's a clean-up factor built right in and your child can work alongside you every step of the way.

Read the full article here for more ideas related to each of the 9 items listed above.

Happy Spring cleaning!

-The Moms Buzz

source: www.scholastic.com