2011-12 Women's Ski Wear Review - Trend Setting Fashion, Quality, Sports Functionality At It's Best

Fashion

Okay. Having skied most of North America's greatest resorts in the West here in the U.S. and in Canada over the past 30 years, I admit it. I'm a mom that's addicted to snow skiing and if all goes well, I'll be able to ski every season as long as I live. Good thing my four teens (triplets + 1 more all born within a year) and hubbie are just as enthusiastic about this winter outdoor sport and living an active and healthy lifestyle as I am. I mean, our kids all learned how to navigate the ski runs when they were toddlers and are now advanced skiers and we're hopelessly hung up as a family on downhill skiing to the point where each of us dreams about our annual family ski week trip all year long. So, when I had the opportunity to check out some of Columbia Sportswear 's newest technologically advanced, on trend women's ski wear styles for this year I was understandably stoked.

Me at home wearing Columbia's New Triple Trail Shell
Can't wait to wear on my next family ski trip to give it a complete test drive
iPhone Photo by MommyBlogExpert.com

Columbia -- a brand that's been making sports wear for the great outdoors since 1938 -- ceases to amaze in that they continue rolling out some of the warmest, most stylish and practical ski apparel and accessories year after year. For sure, the Columbia Women's Triple Trail Shell that's new this year incorporates all the major 2011-2012 ski season fashion trends and is deservedly in the spotlight for this review because it lives up to the company's legacy of designing and manufacturing first class quality ski clothes for every member of the family. 

Sparkling silver hi tech jacket lining
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Upon arrival, it became apparent that this is one ski jacket that has to be seen, touched, and tried on to truly appreciate all its assets.  Not only does this light-weight shell fit perfectly, it integrates top-of-the-line fabric on the outer coat for lasting durability with Columbia's patented Omni-Heat Thermal Reflective fiber technology on the inside lining for maximum warmth without bulk. 

Columbia's patented Omni-Heat Thermal Reflective hi tech fiber tag
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

What's more: I couldn't have been happier to have received the sassy Leapfrog style featuring my favorite colors olive green and teal blue with a splash of bright red and royal blue to create a very edgy and chic look that even my 14 year-old daughters approve of. Busy moms have to hop through all kinds of hoops to keep up with our growing families so this was a good one to ask me to try. A side note: I'm a triplet mom so I'm totally in my element with this Triple Trail style, too. But if your style happens to be more sedate, you'll be happy to know the coat reviewed comes in two other color choices: Black or Imperial (a grey/blue combo).
  

The front zipper pocket seems to disappear into this jacket
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

The high performance Triple Trail Shell is really versatile too, so I can see wearing this both on and off the slopes this winter. Immaculately constructed with lots of pockets inside and out, I especially like the ample adjustable hood which slides over my helmet so I can ski stylishly and safely. I also adore the Invizzip™ pocket zippers which make for a particularly sleek profile, the stretch fabric at the shoulders designed to minimize chaffing from the Ugg backpack I always carry while skiing, and strategic venting to conserve body heat -- all without restricting full range of motion while skiing fast and challenging runs with my kids. 

Thankfully it's lightweight and packable, too. This makes this ski coat ideal to bring along on our next 6-member family ski trip where car cargo space is at a premium. 

Interior pockets so deep to carry your kids' stuff
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

With a suggested retail price of $300 this is not an inexpensive jacket, but it is definitely worth the cost. If you consider it an investment anchor piece for your ski wardrobe chances are you'll enjoy this during this winter as well as for many seasons to come.

Jacket Features

• Fabric: Shell: 100% nylon 3L Heat; 89% nylon/11% 3L Heat Cyberstretch
• Omni-Heat thermal reflective
• Omni-Tech waterproof/breathable fully seam sealed
• Vented with stretch panels that zip open and closed
• Attached, adjustable storm hood
• Drawcord adjustable hem
• Waterproof zipper
• Zip-closed side & breast pockets with Invizzip™
• 10" deep interior pockets inside
• Generous back length of 27.5”
• Imported
• Available in women's sizes XS, S, M, L, XL
• Price $300

Watch for another MBE review coming up soon about the luxe line of super warm, technologically advanced women's Columbia Baselayer tops and bottoms made with Omni-Heat Thermal Reflective material.

 

About Columbia Sportswear

Founded in 1938 in Portland, Oregon, Columbia Sportswear Company is a leading innovator in the global outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment markets. The ski line includes a variety of items for women as well as men and kids. Columbia products are available online and in-store and in the U.S. and more than 100 countries around the world. Notably, the company has an international reputation for innovation, quality and performance making outdoor activities more enjoyable.

We'll be spending a week in Mammoth, California later in the season. How about your family? Where will you be skiing or snow boarding this winter? Please feel free to share all your own stories  and ideas for winter fun and what you like to do most with your kids outside this time of year.

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FTC Disclosure: Columbia provided the ski wear mentioned in this post to facilitate the review, however this did not influence my opinions in this blogpost in any way. No other compensation was received in connection with this story. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one. 

Top Hot Fashion Trends in Ski Wear for Active Women, Men, Kids & Families This Season

Fashion

Ski jackets, clothing and accessory options this season for men, women and children are  among the most refreshing ever. That's especially true for those of us in the 40-50 age range who learned to ski in the 1970s or 80s having survived a variety of ski fashion fads from funky croakies to those super brilliant fluorescent fabrics that were once all the rage. Luckily for every age group there is so much more to be excited about this year.

Mammoth Mountain, California in the Sierras
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Ski Apparel Trends for 2011-2012

• Sophisticated casual styling with simpler, cleaner lines 
• Sporty practical, functional design for wear on and off the slopes
• Designs that are as beautiful as they are comfortable
• Bright bursts of primary colors with lots of color blocking
• Contrasting zippers and trim
• Shell jackets working in concert with layered looks
• Longer, lighter weight jackets
• Ample pockets for small gear
• Larger detachable hoods to accommodate helmets
• Advanced fiber technology for warmth & staying dry

Coming up tomorrow, an exclusive MBE review on Columbia Sportswear ski jackets for Women that exemplifies all these and other qualities.

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FTC Disclosure: No payment or other compensation was received in association with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one. 

9 Top Tips - How to Shop Securely & Safely Online for Holiday Gifts Especially on Cyber Monday

Technology

Cyber Monday is off to a running start, following on the heels of a very strong Black Friday shopping spree at traditional stores over the weekend. In fact, according the the National Retail Federation retailers rang up an estimated $52.4 billion in sales in the short time since Thanksgiving Day alone. That amounts to a whopping average $398.62 spent per U.S. shopper in the first four days of the traditional holiday shopping season. With everything seemingly positive for consumers who have so many opportunities to snag great deals this year, you'd think 'tis the season to be jolly while shopping up a storm to grab all those bargains. Unfortunately, with all this gift buying gusto comes the higher likelihood that you or someone you know will end up a victim of theft especially for those shopping via the Internet. Read on to learn how to make sure this doesn't happen to you.

MommyBlogExpert's teen son on his laptop 

iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

According to consumer money-saving expert, Andrea Woroch, you don't have to be a sitting duck this holiday season. Instead, check out her quick and easy tips to avoid getting ripped off.

• Use Security Software - Security software installed on your computer is essential. Norton and McAfee are two of the most popular companies offering this protection, but there's also plenty of other suppliers and good free shareware available. Whatever you choose, it's wise to make sure this software includes firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware capabilities at a minimum. 

• Look for the "S" at checkout - Once you reach the payment section of the site you're shopping on the url address should change from "http" to "https," indicating your purchase is encrypted and/or secured. Most legitimate merchants also display badges from security brands like VeriSign, GeoTrust, Comodo and Entrust.

• Use a Unique Password - Everyone knows it's a real pain to memorize different passwords for each site you shop on, but you'll reduce the chances of identity theft if you vary these. It's always a good idea to avoid using personal information like birthdate, names, etc. as your password. Instead, why not use 8-10 random numbers and letters for the best security? 

• Opt for More Secure Payment Options - Since the law allows you to dispute credit card charges and unauthorized you can protect yourself simply by using these cards. Companies like PayPal even offers purchase protection with $0 liability for unauthorized purchases, guaranteed refunds for incorrect orders or items that are not received by you.

• Hide Your Identity - Don't want an online retailer to remember you the second time you visit a site because their server uses cookies? You can avoid having your tracking information stored by using a site like Anonymizer to hide your identity or GuerillaMail to create a temporary email address that only lasts for 60 minutes which is enough time -- in many cases -- to shop, checkout and receive your confirmation email.

• Review All Your Order Details - Make sure the deal you can for to a site is still there at checkout. If you are using a coupon code confirm before paying that the savings have been calculated into the actual total. The same things goes for discounted or free delivery. BTW, if you only buy from sites with free shipping you may want to wait to purchase until December 16, which is Free Shipping Day. On that date, for 24 hours only, you can shop and buy from over 2,000 merchants that are offering this free shipping special, complete with delivery by Christmas Eve.

• Watch out for Fake Invoices - Some cyber criminals send phony invoices and delivery notifications that are designed to look legitimate. You'll be able to pick these out easily when you receive an email that asks for your billing information and personal details. Another word to the wise to avoid a security problem: Be wary about opening any attachment to view an invoice.

• Research Who You Buy From - This is particularly important where there are many small and solo businesses marketing their wares. On sites like eBay and Amazon pay attention to ratings by other buyers as to a business's dependability, customer service, and product quality. You're likely to end up a happier buyer if you deal only with those who have good or excellent ratings.

• Avoid Shopping on Public Networks - At Internet cafes, airports, libraries, and other public places, encryption is often out of your control when shopping via public networks.  While chances are you'll be safe just browsing and bookmarking items in these types of settings, shoppers in the know generally avoid transmitting credit card info, personal information, and passwords in high traffic locations like these. Also, don't log in to unidentifiable non-password protected wi fi networks. Those who aren't careful with these strategies could fall victim to a casual hacker or identity thief who's trolling for an easy mark just like you on one of these unsecure networks. 

With a little bit of effort and a lot of vigilance, you'll likely to have many happy shopping excursions online this holiday.

Please share your comments on these ideas to protect shoppers this holiday season. Also, feel free to add your own suggestions on how to stay safe while shopping by leaving a comment below.

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FTC Disclosure: No payment or other compensation was received in association with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Toyota Prius Cares About Kids - Like on Facebook & They'll Donate to Toys for Tots this Holiday Season

Community

It was a fun, full and informative day at the L.A. Auto Show (which runs November 18-27 at the Los Angeles Convention Center) today.  This was my first day on the job as a mom on the inaugural Toyota Women Influencer Network team (TWIN), along with a handful of other Southern California women bloggers as guests of Toyota. For sure, we learned lots about the new 2012 Camry and Prius models on display at the show and even did some test drives. We also enjoyed an insider's intimate luncheon with some of Toyota's brightest executives in digital marketing. But, even with all that positive energy, I  think the real high point of the day was learning about something really meaningful that Toyota is doing right now that exemplifies caring about people. Since my kids and I have been into community service since they were toddlers I guess I shouldn't be surprised how this inspired me. With Thanksgiving almost here, to help you get into the holiday spirit I thought you'd appreciate knowing about this too.

At the L.A. Auto Show - Prius V Promotes Toys for Tots Project
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

The big news is that to celebrate more space in the cargo of their new 2012 Prius V, Toyota has announced they will be donating toys in volume to Toys for Tots to bring holiday cheer to some very deserving children. They're not asking you to give money or toys yourself. Instead, here's how you personally -- via a very unique community social media outreach program -- can make sure that Toyota donates as many toys as possible to this charitable organization by doing three easy tasks that will only take you a few minutes. 

• First, like the Prius Facebook page
• Second, go to their Facebook tab “More Prius. More Giving.” choose and click on a toy and the brand will donate it on your behalf! 
• Most importantly, keep coming back to that tab daily, all season long to select another gift for Toyota to donate each day in your name

If you take the time to do just those little things -- getting three of your friends to do the same all the better-- think of how you'll be able to help make this holiday a whole lot happier and more fun for some pretty awesome boys and girls.

I've already liked the Prius Facebook page and chose a teddy bear for Toyota to donate to Toys for Tots today. How about you? With so much to be thankful for ourselves with Thanksgiving this Thursday, what better time to pay it forward with gratitude by taking part in this Toyota outreach effort?

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FTC Disclosure: As stated in this post I am a member of Toyota Women Influencer Network and was hosted by Toyota at the L.A. Auto Show for the event described. In addition, I also received a Toyota logo messenger bag filled with some token items. However, MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this particular post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

How to Make a Unique Old-Fashioned Holiday Gift - A Photo Book of Memories You Digitally Design Yourself

Gifts

If you are looking for an inexpensive and memorable gift that is old-fashioned and modern at the same time, you've come to the right place. That's because for this post I had the opportunity to create a surprise present for my mother: A luxurious leather hardbound Nero Kwik Media photo book. I designed this myself online, starting with color slides that my father took of our family when I was a girl growing up and that my brother converted to CD for me. Having never created a digital photo book before, based on my own experience I think it's likely that you similarly -- with some basic computer skills -- can easily put together a book of your own that might be your the most unforgettable gift you give this holiday season.

My Daddy and me (age 2), 1958 Vintage family photo

This is the picture I chose for my photo book cover

Nero Kwik Media helps you organize all your photos, music, and videos in one place. From editing/enhancing photos and audio & visual material, to generating photo books, greeting cards, slide shows, and more using these different media sources a whole new world is now at your keyboard ready for you to tap into. There's no need to shy away from trying this product yourself because it really is simple to use once you get the hang of it.

Here's, step by step, how I made my book...

First, I set up an account on the Nero Kwik Media site by entering my email address using our family HP Laptop running Microsoft Windows 7. 

This is a free Windows-PC application with minimum system requirements that include

• Windows® XP SP3 (32bit), Windows Vista® SP1 or later (32 and 64bit), Windows® 7 Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate (32 and 64bit)
• 1 GB hard drive space for typical installation that includes templates, content and temporary disk space
• Microsoft Windows Internet Explorer 7
• A high speed Internet connection
• For additional requirements and details, see site

The next step was downloading and installing the Nero Kwik Media application. The product's review guide that I received said it would take about 20 minutes to complete the process. However, I believe it ended up actually taking around an hour to complete this step because we have high speed cable Internet access which is not as fast as DSL. Depending on what kind of Internet service you have this task might take a more or less amount of time than what I experienced.

After the product's icon was on my desktop all I had to do was double click to launch the application. I found it fascinating that the first time you use this the software automatically scans all your user files looking for all photos wherever they may be on your computer and creating a library that you can access completely from within the Nero Kwik Media program. If you also have media on USBs, CDs or DVDs that you'd like to add that wasn't captured in the initial scan like I did, then it just involves a few more clicks to combine these with those that are already on your PC.

I continued through the Getting Started section. First I clicked on the Create Photo Product button, then selected Premium Cover and chose the Leather style in black from a drop-down menu. After that you can either design your own layouts or select a theme from a variety of pre-designed templates for your book. Being a beginner at this, I chose one of Kwik Media's two travel themed sets since I wanted my book to retell the story of how my journey in life began at birth and take my mom on a trip to revisit the first three years after I was born.

Once I figured out how the different functions worked, it took me a total of about 6 hours to go through approximately 60 photos, cropping and resizing each of them individually right in the application. Had I created a traditional scrap book manually with that much material, I'm guessing it would have taken me many more hours to finish.  I fine tuned the templates on each page adding minor details and changing things around just a little. Once the templates pages were laid out as I wanted them, all I had to do was drag and drop each picture into place and also type in text on some of the pages.

I put this book together at more than one sitting, so I really like the fact that my project was automatically saved each time I worked on it to the Nero Kwik Media library on my desktop. In fact, I highly recommend that if you use this, that you also take your time creating your heirloom book by putting it together over a few days time at the minimum to make sure everything is just right. When you're done, you just push the preview button and you can page through the entire book and see exactly how it will look like when its printed in real-life book form. It's smart to check everything carefully to make sure photos are centered inside the templates properly and also proofread any captions. After that, you push the order button. 

Note: I ordered my photo book last Thursday and haven't received it as yet. When it arrives I'll update this post and let you know how it all turned out as well as add some more pictures of some of the pages. In the meantime, I can't wait to see it.

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FTC Disclosure: This post is part of a SocialMoms product evaluation, for which I've been selected. One free photo book was available to me for review purposes and I've been paid $100 compensating me for my time.  The opinions expressed in this post are mine and don't necessarily reflect the opinions of SocialMoms or Nero. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Easy & Nutritious No-Stick Baked Pasta Casserole Recipe a Dinner Hit With Kids, Moms + GIVEAWAY

Good Food

Plus Pam's Cooking Spray, Hunt's Giveaway, Ends 12/27/11

From Gingerbread Houses to Homemade Cheese Raviolis made with an old-fashioned hand crank pasta machine, readers know that food, fun and kids always go great together -- whether you are cooking or baking for or with your children. So, when I was invited as a mommy blogger to try out and document our family's experiences with the new and improved Pam Cooking Spray, a ConAgra Foods brand, I was excited to participate in the challenge. 

To put Pam's new formulation to the test, instead of choosing one of the great recipes in the booklet the brand sent me I decided to make my own original Easy Baked Rigatoni pictured below (note: You can make the recipe here with whatever pasta you like). This is definitely kid friendly and a family favorite at our house.

Mommy's Baked Rigatoni

iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

This dish is unbelievably easy and fast to assemble and bake because it requires just four ingredients: pasta, spaghetti sauce, canned tomatoes, and cheese. It's also smart -- I learned from this experience  -- to add a fifth ingredient that will minimize clean-up later: Pam spray so it doesn't stick to the pan. Believe me, that last little step is going to make it a snap to clean up if your own experience is anything like mine was. Here's my recipe for you to make for your own family.

Baked Rigatoni Casserole

Serves 6

Ingredients
1 lb. box of pasta of your choice

Half jar of your favorite seasoned spaghetti sauce

One 14.5 oz can of Hunt's Diced Tomatoes

1 c. shredded low fat mozzarella cheese

Pam Cooking Spray

Before you begin, set out all your ingredients. Prepare a 13 x 9 baking pan or similar size casserole dish by lightly spraying with Pam -- which has no cholesterol and only 1 calorie per 1-second spray. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

To make the pasta, boil according to directions on the package box, drain well.

Carefully transfer hot, cooked pasta to your baking dish. In a separate bowl mix the canned tomatoes with a half jar of sauce (approximately 1 cup), then spoon this mixture over the top of the pasta.

Cover with foil and bake for about 20 minutes. When time is up, take the casserole dish out of the oven and remove the foil. Scatter the shredded cheese evenly over the top and return to the oven to finish baking, uncovered, until the cheese melts (about 8-10 minutes).
L to R: Before, during, and after the MBE Pam Cooking Spray Test
iPhone by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Serve with a fresh green salad and enjoy. It's really that easy to make, eat and clean up!

Pam Cooking Spray and Hunt's Tomatoes are brands owned by ConAgra Foods.

Pam Cooking Spray & Hunt's Brands 

GIVEAWAY

Ends 12/27/11

iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

HOW TO ENTER

Enter for your chance to WIN your own Pam Cooking Spray package that includes coupons good for one free can of Hunt's Tomatoes and one can of Pam Cooking Spray plus a step-by-step guide for the Ultimate Pam Challenge featuring recipe cards.

Contest ends December 27, 2011 and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. One winner will be selected at random from all entries received and will be notified via Direct Mail to your Twitter address.

Required (Mandatory) Entry

Simply Tweet a picture of your favorite recipe that you've made using Pam being sure to include the hash tag #PAMGIVEAWAY and @MommyBlogExpert in the actual Tweet so its searchable. Then, leave a comment below this post to confirm that you've tweeted.

Additional Extra Entries

Get extra entries to win for doing any combination of the easy options listed below.  Just be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert (MBE) to leave an additional comment after each individual extra action you do to confirm these so we can record all your extra chances to win.  Don't forget to include your email address, Facebook or Twitter contact info in the comment section so the winner can be contacted.

1. Follow MBE on Twitter

2. Like MBE on Facebook

3. Subscribe to MommyBlogExpert
4. Like Pam Cooking Spray on Facebook

LOTS More 

Family-Friendly Giveaways!

Currently Being Hosted by Mommy Blog Expert

ENTER Them All HERE

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FTC Disclosure: I received vouchers for products from the brands mentioned to facilitate this review as part of the Smiley360 network. Also, this post automatically enters me and other selected participants who post into a giveaway just for bloggers.  However, MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Kids GIVEAWAY Storm Wrangler Young Children's Hardcover Picture Book, Ends 12/14

GIVEAWAY
Ends 12/14

Representatives from virtually every major and independent publishing house constantly submit new fiction and non-fiction books for children and adults to this mommy blog for review. Since -- due to time limitations -- I simply can't do in-depth reviews on every title that crosses my desk, I must be selective. One such fine family friendly piece of literature just reviewed on Mommy Blog Expert is Storm Wrangler by Coert Vorhees (November 2011, $16.95, Bright Sky Press). This is a charming illustrated story that helps kids better understand their weather worries, helping to overcome irrational childhood fears. I'm excited to announce that the publisher is providing this wonderful hard cover book for a giveaway and you can win it. See details below to enter.

Storm Wrangler Book Giveaway

iPhone photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Storm Wrangler

Hardcover Kids Picture Book
GIVEAWAY

Ends December 14, 2011

HOW TO ENTER

Leave a comment(s) below this post.  Contest ends December 14, 2011 at 12 midnite PST and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. One winner will be selected at random from all entries received and will be notified via email.

Required (Mandatory) Entry

Simply leave a comment below this blogpost saying why you'd like to win this prize.  Don't forget to include your email address, Facebook or Twitter contact info in the comment section so the winner can be contacted.

Additional Extra Entries

Get extra entries to win for doing any combination of the easy options listed below.  Just be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert (MBE) to leave an additional comment after each individual extra action you do to confirm so we can record all your extra chances to win.

1. Follow MBE on Twitter

2. Like MBE on Facebook

3. Subscribe to MommyBlogExpert

Super ***Bonus Entries***
You can earn even MORE chances to win each time you TWEET the message below, up to 3 times each day until the contest ends.  Don't forget to return to leave a comment on this post with the direct link right after every Tweet you do so you'll receive an entry for each of your RTs.

Tweet:
Storm Wrangler Kids Hardcover Book GIVEAWAY Helps children understand, fear severe weather less http://tinyurl.com/76dy3mc RT 2 #WIN

LOTS More 

Family-Friendly Giveaways!

Currently Being Hosted by Mommy Blog Expert

ENTER Them All HERE

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FTC Disclosure: The publisher provided Storm Wrangler to facilitate the book review mentioned and is providing a second copy of the title for this giveaway. However, MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Bing Travel How to Save on Family Airfare

Travel

Saving When Flying with Kids During Holidays

With Thanksgiving just around the corner and the Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Years holiday celebrations blowing right in behind, chances are good that your family or someone you know will be traveling this season. These days with the economy still stuck in first gear, saving money by making frugal decisions even on extras like trips and vacations are the norm, especially for moms and dads traveling with children. So it's refreshing to hear some upbeat news to maintain the holiday spirit that I'd like to share with you.

My Frequent Flier 10-month Toddler

Predicting a bit of holiday cheer for travelers -- particularly families with kids creating multiple expenses -- the Fareologists at Bing Travel have issued their preliminary forecast for the 2011 holiday travel season. Here's the good part: Bing expects domestic airfare and hotel room prices to drop slightly this winter translating into consumer savings.

According to Bing Travel

• Compared to 2010, domestic airfare is expected to be down 1.4% overall
• Plane tickets will average about $302 this season, as opposed to $306 last holiday
• Hotel seasonal costs appear to be staying virtually flat for three- and four-star hotels, but five-star hotels are down 8% from last year

“Given this summer’s sharp airfare and hotel increases, it’s a relief to see travel prices normalize, even going down in many cases this holiday,” says Kari Dilloo of Bing Travel who is also the mother of twin toddlers.

“Travelers looking to stay in the U.S. are likely to find some great trip deals this holiday especially if they plan ahead, Dilloo explains."When you are traveling with parents plus multiple kids smart travel buying can amount to spending hundreds of dollars less on your holiday or vacation expenses."

While the overall travel forecast is looking merrier and somewhat brighter this season, the biggest savings lie in the hands of those willing to let the destination and date dictate your holiday travel plans. In fact, Dilloo points out that a traditional white Christmas might not be available in Florida, but getaways to the Sunshine State and other warm-weather destinations are extra cheap this holiday season. Some examples: airfares to Fort Lauderdale, FL, are down 21% from last year and hotels in Las Vegas are down almost 16% this year.

How Bing Travel Can Help

The free tools and tips that  Microsoft Bing Travel offers are just what moms and dads traveling with children need to save time and money when shopping for and booking holiday trips. That's where Bing's Price Predictor comes in: it's an invaluable airfare prediction tool that shows whether the lowest fares appear to be rising or dropping and provides recommendations on whether to buy now or wait.

Tapping its proprietary technology, the Bing Travel site has the ability to analyze 225+ billion airfare observations. The result is that they can provide recommendations with a level of confidence and also give you a feel for expected price increases or decreases over the next seven days.

Similarly, their Hotel Rate Indicator helps traveling consumers find out at a glance if the offered room charge for a hotel is a good deal, based on historical rates. This price indicator is unique to Bing Travel and is available for more than 5,000 hotels in 30 major cities across the U.S. and applies to reservations up to 90 days in the future.

Bing, representing a new generation of search -- was developed to deliver results in a visually stunning way that makes it easy for users to find the information they need. Designed with today’s searchers in mind, Bing, a Microsoft company, provides intelligent tools to simplify tasks and help people make faster and better decisions.

Feel free to share your own experiences about shopping airfares and hotel rooms for your family.  Also, if you've tried Bing Travel, what do think of this relatively new service so far?


FTC Disclosure: See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Creative DIY Healthy & Fun Thanksgiving Appetizer & Dessert Recipe Food Crafts to Make With Kids

Good Food

Appetizers and desserts are synonymous with Thanksgiving. So to help you do something really creative with your holiday menu and presentation this year, here are a few really easy and wonderful healthy appetizer and dessert recipes for Turkey Day for family and children to craft together from Disney Family Fun.

Image from Family Fun

This Colorful Fruit Turkey can also double as either a table centerpiece for the main meal or you can use it as an accent on your dessert buffet. Alternately, you could do this concept with an array of bright raw vegetables such as carrots, various lettuces, celery, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, parsley and the like.   Directions

Can't get your kids to eat their vegetables? Try making this festive and creative appetizer with your children and maybe this edible crafty idea will change all that this Thanksgiving. This is a super nutritious recipe, too, since it's made not only with fresh vegetables but cholesterol free water crackers with low fat cream cheese for the spread. For this holiday, these might be suggestive of pumpkins, but I imagine for Christmas you could also make these to look like Christmas Tree balls! Directions

Image from Family Fun

Visit Family Fun for lots more creative Thanksgiving arts and crafts projects and recipes to make with your kids -- both edibles and festive home decor.

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Share your own favorite Thanksgiving edible creative crafts for kids by leaving a comment with a link to your favorite projects.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Storm Wrangler Whimsical Fiction Picture Book Educates, Calms Children's Fears of Weather

Book Review

The charm of the American Cowboy and The West shines through in Storm Wrangler, the poetic and beautifully illustrated newly released young child's title. This book is written by Fulbright Scholar and American Library Association Award-winning author Coert Voorhees and illustrated by Mike Guillory, a talented Houston illustrator and designer, who are both heavily influenced by the Texas lifestyle in this work. As the tale unfolds, the fantasy story is told through the title character's persona as a meteorological cowboy style Paul Bunyan protecting all from the power of big, and sometimes scary, weather. No matter if it's lightening and a thunderstorm, a tornado, a hurricane, a blizzard or other type of fierce atmospheric phenomena, the friendly and fearless Storm Wrangler is depicted as a hero that kids will look up to and learn from.

One dark and stormy day in my neighborhood

iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

As a hard cover, large format picture book the story comes alive, intimately speaking to readers on every page, transforming fear into awe as amazing details about a variety of storms are demonstrated along with delivering the constant promise of calm that always comes after. Inspired by the author's son's own fears during Hurricane Ike in 2009, this tale no doubt will bring little heads across America out from under the covers whenever this is read. It's classified as children's fiction but it certainly is educational too, with a glossary of 20 weather terms included. 

Storm Wrangler Book Cover

iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Distinguished child psychiatrist Efrain Bleiberg, MD, professor and Vice Chair, Menninger Department of Psychiatry; Director of Children and Adolescent Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine; Chief, Psychiatry Service, Texas Children’s Hospital has glowing praise for Storm Wrangler. Summarizing the mental benefits to toddlers and young kids this offers, Dr. Bleiberg says, “This is a wonderful picture book ... a lovely springboard to help children develop a sense of security."

Voorhees, also the author of the Young Adult title The Brothers of Torres, is currently at work on other novels. He is the mayor of Grammaropolis an animated website that also features a Top Ten Education iPhone app and a SiriusXM Children's Radio hit song.

Storm Wrangler by Coert Voorhees and published by Bright Sky Press, Hardcover 8.5” x 11”, 28 pages, color. $16.95, ISBN: 978-1-936474-07-3

Who hasn't been afraid during a storm at one time or another? I for one, still remember many a night as a kid seeking safety in my parents' bed from the crashing thunder.  Please leave a comment to reminisce about your own childhood storm fears or that of your child's and how you've dealt with it.

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FTC Disclosure: I received the Storm Wrangler to facilitate this book review. However, MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

5 Fun Twitter Parties Ideal for Moms & Women With Great Prizes Still to Come This Week

Social Media

Looks like another smoking week for an abundance of Twitter parties that women and moms in particular will likely enjoy. Most of these virtual events have great prizes to win, as well as the opportunity of meeting other social media active women and mom blogger Twitter users. An added plus: you'll be connecting with some awesome brands, making these online get-together contests worth the hour or two that you participate in them. 

iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Here's a partial list of the lineup for the rest of this week. I'll Tweet about any new parties I hear about, so make certain you're following Mommy Blog Expert on Twitter to get the inside scoop.

Wednesday, November 16

The #WhoDunIt Murder Myster Twitter Party hosted by Rachel Ferrucci and Doc Bonn and sponsored by Yes Video and The Big Toy Book. 11/16 @ 5 pm PST  RSVP Here

Fun and Wacky #ICKEEStikeez Twitter Party hosted by The Big Toy Book. 11/16 @ 6 pm PST RSVP Here
 

Thursday, November 17

Clever Girls Collective hosts the #JRWScents J.R. Watkins Naturals Twitter Party. 11/17 @ noon-1 pm PST.  RSVP Here

Social Moms hosts #RMLTE Real Moms Love to Eat Twitter Party. 11/17 @ 4-5 pm PST.  RSVP Here 

She Speaks Up hosts #HolidayFlavors Torani Twitter Party 11/17 @ 6-7 pm PST. RSVP Here


Coming Soon...
November 30, Daily Deals for Moms #DDFM Twitter Party 11/30 @ 6 pm PST. RSVP  Here

These are just a few of the parties you can join in for some fun, conversation and prizes. If you know of  additional Twitter parties going on this week or for the rest of November that you think should be added to this list, please leave a comment and share whatever basic info you have including products, hosts, date & time, prizes, and most importantly a link to RSVP/Info.

Party Hard & Enjoy!

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FTC Disclosure: I love Twitter parties and try and attend a few every week and am attending some parties listed as a participant. However, this blog did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.