And The Award Goes To...

My first award!  Thanks so much to Chauny Writes for selecting me as a recipient for this award!  It was a pleasant way to start the day.  Please take a moment to stop by and visit her.

ver·sa·tile:

embracing a variety of subjects, fields, or skills; also : turning with ease from one thing to another

Versatile Blogger Award Etiquette:

Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.

Tell us seven things about yourself

Award fifteen recently discovered new bloggers.  (Don't forget to contact them!)

Seven Things About Myself:

1. I'm a great cook.
2. I tend to be bossy and sometimes impatient..  
3. I want to lose 50lbs. 
4. I like to do nice things for other people, just to be nice.
5. I was in the Army National Guard for 6 years.
6. I've never been to New York or California.
7. I barely knew anything about blogging before this year!

I come across great blogs everyday, but I had to narrow it down.  Here are the recipients I've chosen to award:

1. Boyz Rule Our World
2. Crafty Card Creations
3. The Imperfect Home
4. Momma's Time Out
5. Nap Time Is My Time
6. Occasionally Crafty
7. Our Crazy Bunch
8. Suzy's Artsy-Crafty Sitcom
9. The Adventures of Curly Tot
10. The Frugal Life of Aimee
11. Twins Plus One, Three Times the Fun
12. The Paper Blosson
13. The Not So Secret Confessions of a Second Time Mom
14. The Tween and Me
15. Finger Click Saver

Please take a minute to stop by and show these great bloggers a little love!  Thanks again!

$35 for $100 Worth of Photo Books, Cards, and Calendars at Picaboo

Head on over to Groupon today and snag $100 worth of product for $35! 

The Story of Bruce

As told by my husband to our three-year old daughter:

Each year, the Easter Bunny puts a litter of baby puppies into a large Easter basket with a soft blanket.  The puppies go with him on his Easter deliveries.  As the Easter Bunny makes his stops at all of the little girls and boys houses, he lets the puppies choose a home they would like to stay at.  This year, a cute little Yorkie puppie sniffed around while they were stopped at our house and he nudged the Easter Bunny with his little nose, telling him that he wanted to stay.  The Easter Bunny had to wake up Mommy and Daddy to see if it was okay and if we could take good care of him.  So we told the Easter Bunny that, yes, we think Kaiya & Carson would really love a puppy and we will take good care of him.  So, after we thanked the Easter Bunny, we put the puppy in small carrier that the Easter Bunny left with us, gave him a little blanket and said goodnight.

The puppy was a little timid with my husband and I at first.  He was nervous and a little jumpy.  We did get up with him twice in the night to go outside, and he whined a bit between outings.  We were a little worried about how he would handle meeting the kids. 

Kaiya woke up early and came trotting into our bedroom and climbed up in the bed with us.  We had a little snuggle time while Daddy went to "start his coffee".  He went to let the puppy out and clean up a little mess.  About the time she and I came out and headed down the hallway toward the kitchen, the puppy had gotten loose from Bobby and scurried out from mudroom, into the kitchen and into our sights.  (So much for our plan of brining him out in an Easter basket and getting a picture of her reaction!)  She immediately stopped, threw her hands up, and said in the cutest little emotional voice, "A puppy!"  I'm a bit of a sap, so I did get a bit teary eyed, only for a moment.  She was so excited! 

To our very pleasant surprise, the puppy toddled right up to Kaiya and I'm pretty sure it was love at first sight for them both!  She was so very gentle and soft spoken as she scooped him right up into her arms.  Bobby and I couldn't believe how calm he was!  So they played for a bit and she toted him in her arms in between finding eggs and sneaking bites of candy from her basket.  We asked her what she wanted to name him.  Without averting her eyes from the puppy, she said, "You name him."  This pleased my husband, the comic buff, who already had a name in mind.  Bruce Banner.  Also know as The Hulk.  Oh, the irony.

Carson was still asleep during the excitement.  He is only one-year old, so we thought it was probably best that they were introduced one at a time.  A short time later, Carson beckoned from his crib.  He wasn't really sure what to think.   He was very curious and seemed to like him from a safe distance.  The puppy was interested, and again, to my surprise, went right up to check him out.  Bobby put his hand over Carson's and helped him pet the puppy.  When he stopped, Carson mimicked this action, putting his hand over Daddy's.  Too cute.

So we had a wonderful day enjoying our newest family member, but had to wind it down and get ready to head to Grandma & Grandpa's house for dinner.  Bruce cried a bit when we put him in his pen and Kaiya immediately grabbed a book off the toy shelf, sat down next to his pen and read him a story.  He went to sleep!  (She continutes to read to him whenever she thinks he's sleepy.)  Kaiya asked us if Bruce would be here when we go home.  We explained (again) that, yes, he is our puppy and he will be with us for a long time.  "Mommy, I love bruce."  Bruce loves you, too!

31 Tote Giveaway **ENDED**

Let me start by saying a big THANK YOU to Michelle.  Michelle is my 31 consultant and has, ever so graciously, offered to become my very first sponsor!  If you've never heard of or owned a thirty-one(TM) product, now is the time!  I purchased a bag a few weeks ago and absolutely love it!  Please check out her latest catalog!

Up for grabs is an Organizing Utility Tote.

This versatile, spacious tote keeps your clutter organized! Great for cleaning supplies or sporting gear.  Use it as an everyday tote or a gym bag!  Seven side pockets are perfect for shampoo, magazines, your MP3 player and water bottles.  Made from extra-tough nylon with stain-and water-resistant lining.  Measures approx 10"H X 15.5"W X 6.5"D

Help me grow, and let me show you that I appreciate your support!  Entries will close once I reach 200 facebook fans!  I hope you enjoy my blog and what I have to offer.  I am still a new blogger, trying my best, with the resources (and time) that I have available to me, to provide a fun and useful blog to my newly loyal fans!  I would love to keep on growing so that I have more opportunities to provide my readers with great product info, reviews, giveaways, recipes, insights, deals, and much more!  I greatly appreciate all of my supporters!

You will snag two entries by doing the following:

• Become a facebook fan .  (Required) (Remember to use your personal page for it to count.)
• Follow via GFC.  (Required) (Google Friend Connect found on blog homepage)

Get one extra entry for each optional task you complete below:

• Share this post to your facebook page(s). (one entry per share, one share per day, per page)
• Tweet this post.
• Refer a fan to my facebook fan page.  (one entry per referral)
• Visit my Give Back Giveaway and become a participant.
• Read any of my blog posts and comment on that post.  (one entry only)
• Place an order with Michelle at thirty-one(TM).  (one entry per item ordered)

**BONUS 5 ENTRIES**  If you have a blog or website, please add my button to your sidebar or add a link to my blog on your blog roll.  (Be sure to comment 5 times to ensure your 5 entries!)  Thanks!

Please be sure you leave a comment on this post for each task you complete!  If you are already a facebook fan or a GFC follower, let me know in a separate comment for each.  Remember - each comment is ONE entry.  You could get a lot of entries!  If you refer someone, be sure to state who you referred in the comment.  Make sure you comment with a valid email address so you can be contacted.  The winner will be chosen via True Random Number Generator at Random.org.

So go ahead, enter!  Good luck to you all and again, I truly appreciate all of your support in my exciting new adventures!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Contest open to US residents 18 years of age and older.  Contest ends at 11:59PM CST on the day that Jessica, The Mom's facebook fan page reaches 200 fans (likes). Winner must have a valid email address to receive prize.  Jessica, The Mom is not responsible if your email notification goes to your spam folder.  Winner must respond to email within 48 hours of notification to claim prize, or another random winner will be chosen.  Prize will be shipped to the winner by said giveaway sponsor.  Comments not deemed as entries to this giveaway will be deleted.  Other comments should be made here.

Sweet & Sour Sauce

I was experimenting with a recipe I had found online, but didn't have all the ingredients for, when I came up with this awesome sweet & sour sauce.  It is, hands down, the best I've tasted!  It is very easy and quick to make, and it makes a large batch.  You could freeze it or jar it in small portions if you want to use it as a dipping sauce.  We had it yesterday with diced boneless pork chops and rice.  I've also made it with chicken.  So delicious!

You will need:

1 can crushed pineapple (I believe it was 16oz) in its own juice (do not drain)
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1 cup of water
1 1/2 cups of sugar
2/3 cup of vinegar
2 TBS Soy sauce
3 TBS cornstarch

Set aside 3 TBS of the pineapple juice.  Add the rest of the pineapple and juice to a medium/large saucepan.  Add all of the remaining ingredients, except the cornstarch.  Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until bubbly.  Mix the set aside pineapple juice and cornstarch together in a small dish until smooth.  Add this to the sauce mixture, slowly, while still cooking and stirring over medium heat.  Continue cooking and stirring for a few minutes, until it has thickened a bit.  Pour over chicken, pork, rice, or use as a dipping sauce for egg rolls, won tons, etc.  Enjoy!

Thursday Blog Hop

I found Momma's Time Out at the Mom Blogger's Club.  She has a Thursday Blog Hop!  Hop along and find a few blogs you haven't yet had the pleasure of reading!

Thanks for stopping by and sharing bloggy love!

Kid Speak of the Week

My daughter to her brother, last night, as she gives him a kiss before bed:

"Sleep tight, Brudder.  Don't let the bugs bite.  If they bite YOU, beat 'em up with a black shoe!"


I love the thoughtful things that come out of childrens' mouths!

For those of you not familiar with this old rhyme, this is how I've always heard it:

Good night, sleep tight.
Don't let the bed bugs bite.
If they do, beat 'em with a shoe,
until they're black and blue.


**Did your little one say something cute, silly, off the wall, etc?  Submit it to me to be considered for Kid Speak of the Week!**

Welcome Wednesday - Blog Hop - Hosted by Take It From Me

Thank you "Take It From Me" for the friendly blog hop!
Please visit them and follow their guidelines for the hop!

Please take a moment to "like" and follow Jessica, The Mom. 
I will share the love! 
Thanks for stopping by!

Folger's Coupon!

Click below and get your Folger's Coupon!  Limit 2.
 http://www.folgers.com/facebook-coupon.aspx?cid=fb_wall_112004

Mickey & Minnie Birthday Party

Our family & friends joined us yesterday to celebrate my daughter's third and my son's first birthdays!  They are pictured here with Daddy.

They each had a personalized T-shirt with their name & age which I purchased from My Preppy Rags on eBay. 

Aren't these invitations cute?  I ordered them from Cupcake Card Invites.  I purchased them through her eBay store and provided her with the personalization info.  She then mailed me the file to print at any photo center as a 4x6 photo.  There were two "tickets" per photo, so each was cut into two.  I loved how these looked.  There are also many other themes to choose from.

The treat bags were super easy to customize.  I bought plain red and plain pink treat boxes from Walmart.  I glued white buttons on the red ones.  I used white circle labels (like for garage sales) on the pink ones and used a hole punch to tie a ribbon on the top.  I purchased ear headbands from The Party Store online and used the hole punch again to put ribbon in for the girls.  The treat bags also had Mickey Mouse Clubhouse coloring pages (from a coloring book I bought at Walmart), Mickey Mouse (for the boys) and Minnie Mouse (for the girls) crayons from The Party Store, Minnie beaded bracelets, also from The Party Store and Mickey Mouse wristbands from Fun To Collect online.



I did the centerpieces (below) using empty formula cans, black spray-painted Styrofoam balls, fabric, felt, buttons, ribbon, crafter's glue, toothpicks, wooden dowels, and tissue paper.  Most of the craft items were purchased at Jo Ann Fabrics.  I was really pleased with how they turned out.

The punchies (confetti) that you see on the table were created by StarLight StarBright Creations.  They were so cute and her prices and shipping time were awesome!  They are a lot bigger than the typical confetti you would purchase at the store.  I was pleased with the size.  She did a custom order for me and was great about it!  She has a lot of other custom items as well.

The Cakes!!  I was so thrilled with the cakes!  We got tons of compliments on them.  Thank you so much to Shannon, the mother of the smiley little girl I provide daycare for.  The Minnie cake was inspired by a photo I found at Simply Captivating Events.  The Mickey cake was inspired by a photo I found at Coolest Birthday Cakes.

I made white chocolate dipped pretzels and chocolate dipped Mickey krispie treats.  Yummy!

Of course, the best part of the whole party was watching my babies enjoy themselves!  They are so precious and grow up so fast!  I love them to pieces!  Here are a few of my favorite pics from the party:

Blowing out her candles.

Carson is being proper with his spoon (lol).....

....and then his auntie stole his spoon!

Kaiya decided spoons weren't necessary for her, either!

Peek-A-Boo! 

Kaiya's favorite present was real diapers and wipes for her baby dolls!  She was ready to go home after she got these and toted them around in the gift bag for the rest of the party.  Such a little mommy!

Carson was very into the tissue paper!  He pulled it out of one bag and then onto the next.  No presents needed! 

Just shootin' hoops, Mommy!

Awww...giving Mommy love.

It was a fabulous day! 

And The Winner Is....Amazon Gift Card Giveaway ending 4/14/11

KAPUMAKA

Please check your email and respond within 48 hours to claim your prize!  Congratulations and thanks for visiting!

The Give Back Giveaway! *Ended 5/31*

Jessica, The Mom and Adventures of The Bauer's bring you

The Give Back Giveaway!

It seems that more and more people are learning how to effectively coupon, are getting some great deals and building some impressive stockpiles.  In light of recent events and coupon controversy, I thought it was a good time to encourage some "give back".

I personally don't have a huge stockpile, but I have a nice starter collection and have been able to donate a few items to our church during a food pantry drive.  But, I am a very blessed person, and I feel like I could do a little more.  I'm sure that at least some of you feel the same way.

Here is what I propose:

Anytime you go on a shopping trip and purchase more than 5 of the same items at greatly discounted prices, take one of those items and contribute it to your newly dedicated "donate stash".  If you bought 10 boxes of cereal at $1 a piece, are you really going to miss one box?  How about those deodorants & body washes that you got for free with double BOGO?  Or the free toothpaste that CVS is always giving away?
I'm going to run a little contest and I hope you will participate and encourage others to participate.  Let's see how big we can make this collaborative donation!

Here's how it is going to work:

1. Start your "Donate Stash" as soon as possible.  Separate it from any other stockpile you have in your home.  Maybe you have enough on hand now to get it started or start with your next shopping trip.
2. Link-up here once to indicate that you are joining this Give Back Giveaway.  (Enter your first name, last initial, participation (example - Jessica H. - participating)
3. For every ten items you donate, link-up once, using your first name, last initial, and where you donated (example:  Jessica H. - donated 10 items to Holy Cross Church in Stockton, IL).
4. This Give Back Giveaway will be based on the honor system.  Should you feel the need to cheat (false link-ups), then shame on you. 
5. For each qualifying link that you post, you will receive one entry to the Give Back Giveaway Drawing.  (A winner will be chosen at random via Random.org.)
6. This Give Back Giveaway will run though the end of May, 2011.  

THE PRIZE
For each participant, Jessica, The Mom and Adventure's of The Bauer's will personally donate one item to a separate dedicated stash (on a rotating basis - one item per participant, up to 100 items per hostess).  The winner of the drawing will provide us with the name and address of a food pantry, church, or other charity of their choice and we will ship the items to them on behalf of the winner.  I will also write up a complete post-article that I will send as a press-release to the winner's local newspaper and provide to any participant to share as they see fit.

*Note:  If anyone else is interested in co-hosting this event, please contact Jessica, The Mom.  As a co-host or hostess, you would personally donate one item for each participant, on a rotating basis, up to 100 items.  (Example:  3 hosts, 75 participants = 25 items per host.)  You would also help promote the event via your blog, website, facebook, etc.

Etiquette 
While I am all about blog hopping and blog networking, this is just not about that.  By all means, feel free to make new friends through this event, however, please refrain from "advertising" your blog, page, service, or product directly in this forum.  You may list your blog home page URL only as an accompaniment to each of your links, in case anyone is interested in checking out new blogs, but please do not include any other links, promotions, requests, etc.  Violations will be deleted.

Please leave links only as indicated above (participation & donations).  If you would like to make any additional comments, please use the comment forum on this post, NOT the linky list.

I would love to see this get huge so we can all just feel great about helping others in need!  Please, please share this post and lets see what a difference we can make!

**NOTE**  I have created a button / link directly on my homepage, in the top right-hand column, for easy access to this post.  Just click the photo to be directed here.




get the InLinkz code

Cherry White Cheese Cake

Unfortunately, I don't have a photo for this one yet, but I promise to add it next time I or my grandma makes this.  This is my grandmas recipe and a family favorite for sure!  I wanted to post it in time for Easter, since many of us do some cooking/baking for the holidays.  Let me know how you like this one!

NOTE:  This recipe makes two 13x9 cakes.  If you only want one and don't want to waste the other half of the cake batter, try it in a slightly larger jelly roll pan.

1 package of white cake mix

2 8oz packages of cream cheese, softened

4 cups of powdered sugar

1 16oz container of whipped topping, thawed

2 cans of cherry pie filling

**also good topped with strawberry or blueberry

Prepare and bake cake as directed on package, using only half the batter.  Cool.  Beat cream cheese & sugar until fluffy.  Fold in whipped topping.  Spread over cooled cake.  Top with pie filling.  Chill and keep chilled.

So yummy!

Easter Recipe Swap Meet

get the InLinkz code

*HOT DEAL* on Batteries!

Head on over to your local Menards and pick up a 20 pack of Rayovac Alkaline Batteries "AA" or "AAA" for $5.99.  Get a $3.00 Mail-In Rebate.  Use $1 off printable coupon.  Total $1.99 for 20 batteries!  That's 10 cents per battery!

Limit of 4 Rebates per household - stock up!

80% off at Restaurant.com

Once again, get your $25 restaurant gift certificates for $2! Go to Restaurants.com and enter promo code STEAK.  This is a great way to try out some new restaurants in your area at a fraction of the cost!

Offer ends April 14, 2011

Stock up on on Finish Jet-Dry rinse, gelpacs or Powerball tabs at CVS

I run my dishwasher at least once a day and sometimes twice, so we go through gelpacs pretty quickly.  This is one item I try to stock up on when it is on sale.  Starting tomorrow at CVS, these are on sale for $3 each.  Plus, if you spend $20 on select items, you get $10 Extra Bucks.  There are other items that qualify (select varieties of Lysol and Air Wick) for the 10EB, but I'm going for the Finish products.  You can go here and print off coupons for extra savings.  You should be able to print two .50/1 and two .75/1 coupons (plus others for additional products) on one computer.

Buy 7 packages at $3 each = $21
Minus $10 EB
Minus $2.50 in printable coupons
Total = $8.50/7 = $1.21 each

This is a great price, considering they typically retail for at least $4 at a super store.
What are you going to buy from CVS this week?

CVS - $9.88 for all of this!

I mentioned earlier in the week on facebook that I had a great purchase at CVS this past Sunday.  As a fairly new blogger and couponer, I wanted to share this just to show you that you don't need "mad skills" to get great deals.  It just takes a little planning.  Read my first posting about CVS if you are not familiar with their Extra Care Bucks program and read my Couponing Basics post if you are totally new to couponing.  Reading these will help you to better understand how you, too, can easily achieve deals like this.  Sorry I didn't get this posted sooner, but the current sale is still good through tomorrow!

Here is how I paid just $9.88 for 6 boxes of Puffs Plus, 12 Double rolls of Charmin, 1 Complete Contact Solution, 2 packages of G.U.M Flossers, 2 Oral B toothbrushes, 40 Duracell batteries, 2 Crest mouth rinses, 1 Right Guard Men's body wash, 2 Herbal Essences styling products and 3 bottles of Dawn dish washing liquid. Subtotal before coupons and Extra Bucks $68.98.  This was the subtotal on sale!

As a member of CVS's Extra Care rewards program, I have an Extra Care Card.  I started with $5 extra bucks that they emailed me for the month that I had earned from purchases, $5 coupon that they emailed to me as a member, and $6 in Extra Bucks from my prior week purchase.  So I walked into the store with $16 in CVS coupons and a handful of manufacturer's coupons, as well as my planned out list.

1st transaction:

• Charmin with .25 off coupon
• 2 20-packs of Duracel batteries with 2x $1.50 off coupons
• 3 Dawn dish washing liquid with 3x .25 off coupon
• 2 Herbal Essence styling products with BOGO coupon

Using all of Extra Bucks and my coupons, this transaction cost me $12.50 plus I got an additional $10 EB from this purchase.  (Deal was to buy any of the above sale items totaling $30 (subtotal) and get $10 EB.)


2nd transaction:

• 6 boxes of Puffs plus with 2x $.25 off 3 coupons (on sale for .87 minus .25 on 3 = 0.79 each)
• 2 Oral B toothbrushes with 2x $2 off coupons (on sale for $2.99 minus $2 coupon minus .99 EB = Free!)
• 2 Crest Rinse with 2x $1 off coupons (on sale for $3.49 minus $1 coupon minus $2.50 EB = -0.01 money maker!)
• 1 Complete Contact Solution with $1 off coupon (on sale for $8.99 minus $1 coupon minus $8.99 EB = $1 money maker!)
• 1 Right Guard Body Wash (on sale for $3.88 minus $3 EB = 0.88)
• 2 G.U.M. Flossers (on sale for $2 minus $2 EB = Free!)

This transaction, after coupons and EB from first transaction cost me $20.35 and I got $22.97 in EB!!

So....I spent a total of $32.85 in cash from my wallet, but left the store with $22.97 in EB = $9.88 spent on entire purchase!  I left the store quite satisfied!  Most of my manufacturer's coupons came from that day's Sunday paper coupon inserts - mostly P&G.  I also had a few in my stash from prior inserts. 

Tell me about your best deal!

Chic & Crafty Thursdays at Frugal Girls

Check out The Frugal Girls on Thursday Nights - browse and share your crafty new ideas!

Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

This will be the first ever giveaway by Jessica, The Mom!  Yay!  Before you get too excited, please realize that I only recently started blogging and I am only in a position to give away a tiny prize, but it's a prize none the less!  As I've stated, I'm relatively new to the blogging world (debut 3/1/11) and so, naturally, I have only a few followers to date.  To help share my blog and grow readers/viewers, I've decided to have a little fun with a mini giveaway.

Five big smackers for the lucky winner!  The winner will receive a $5 Amazon Gift Card that I personally earned with Swagbucks.  The gift card will be emailed to you.  The contest will run for seven days (who wants to wait for free stuff, right?).  Entry is simple!

• "Like" this blog using the "Like" button on the top right of my page or directly on my facebook page.
• Follow this blog using Google Friend Connect, also on the top right of my page
• Share this post on facebook. 
• Tweet this post.
• Do you have a blog or web page?  Grab my link button and place it on your page where it is easily viewed.

You get one entry for each of the above tasks that you complete.  You must submit a separate comment on this post for each task that you completed, telling me what you did.  If you have completed any of these tasks prior to this post, just post a comment for each task stating that you did so.  If you do not leave a comment, you did not enter the contest!  Each comment posted will serve as one entry and will be assigned a number, in numerical order, starting with 1 for the first comment.  At the end of the contest, a winner will be chosen at random via computer using True Random Number Generator at Random.org.  Winner will be announced as a blog post on Jessica, The Mom and will be notified via email.

Thanks so much for your support, have fun, and good luck!

Contest open to US residents 18 years of age and older.  Contest ends at 11:59CST April 14, 2011.  Winner must have a valid email address to receive prize.  Jessica, The Mom is not responsible if your email notification goes to your spam folder.  Winner must respond to email within 48 hours of notification to claim prize, or another random winner will be chosen.  A limit of 5 entries per person, one for each task as stated above.

Creamed Dried Beef Over Toast

One of my favorites, this is easy, cheap and delicious.

5 small packages of dried beef or one large package, chopped

1/2 can of sweet peas

4 cups of milk

1 stick of butter

1/2 cup of flour

dill weed

pepper

garlic powder

Worcestershire Sauce

In a dutch oven, large frying pan or a wok-like pan (this is what I use) melt the butter over medium heat.  Add flour and stir together until smooth.  Add milk all at once and stir with a whisk frequently until thick.  Don't let it scorch.  Add spices and Worcestershire to desired taste .  I usually eyeball it, probably about 1/4 tsp of each spice and a tablespoon of Worcestershire.  Stir in peas.  Serve over toast, mashed potatoes or boiled potatoes.  My favorite is over boiled potatoes, skin on!  Enjoy!

70% off gift certificates at Restaurant.com

Go to Restaurant.com now and get a $25 gift certificate for $3! 

Hurry - offer is good April 5, 1:00AM PST through Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 11:59PM PST.

Use promo code PLATE.

Extreme Couponing Premiers on TLC

Do you need some inspiration to start saving big time?  Check out Extreme Couponing this week on TLC. 

Airing Wednesday, April 6, at 8:00pm CST.

I will be watching!  Will you?

Online Comparison Shopping Review

I am a big fan of online shopping, especially when I am looking for something specific or unique.  As a mother of two small children, shopping in stores can really be a hassle.  I recently encountered http://www.become.com/ and decided to test it out with a few searches. The nice thing about a site like this is that it pulls the item you are looking for from multiple retailers and lets you compare them all on one screen.  A thumbnail of the item, description, location and price are all in a tidy format for easy comparison without having to jump from site to site.

I did several searches at http://www.become.com/, looking for several different products.  I searched for seventeen bedding (very cute, funky stuff inspired by Seventeen Magazine) and it really didn't provide the results I was looking for, but did offer links to other sites featuring the brand.  I also looked for dressing tables with mirror with slightly better results.  (Found a really cute pink one for little girls, but it was a bit pricey for a 3 year old!)  Next I tried for a moon chair and got some decent results.  I had better luck searching for a canvas book display and quad stroller, which I'm hoping to purchase within the next month.  These two items really supplied more results for a true price comparison.

Overall, the site had a clean and tidy appearance and fair results.  I typically search for an item using a search engine and then hop from site to site, and this can be time consuming.  I haven't really used many comparison sites and I'd love to get some feed back as to what sites you use to do your comparison shopping.  Have you tried http://www.become.com/?  How did you like it?

Free Sample of Boogie Wipes

Click Here for your free sample of Boogie Wipes.  Hurry, offer expires 4/2 at midnight!

I've never tried them, but I'm going to give them a shot for FREE!