DealPop Social Media Buying Site GIVEAWAY, Discount PROMO Code, Sneak Preview of Deals for Next Week

LEAVE A COMMENT on this post to enter the DealPop Cash GIVEAWAY CONTEST to win $15 toward purchases.  See bottom of this blog post for details. Contest EXTENDED to 1/15/2011 at 11:59 pm PST

PLUS, for ALL MommyBlogExpert Readers: Save an extra 15% off DealPop's Deals With Coupon Code DEALPOPSHOP at checkout, Hurry this discount offer expires 12/1/2010

DealPop -- from White Pages -- is a social buying website that offers local deals in Seattle, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Peninsula.

They also offer American small town deals nationwide on local specialty brands originating from around the U.S. through DealPop USA .  In fact, they're the first social buying site to help consumers discover old-fashioned local brands from across the nation at up to 70 percent off retail prices, regardless of where you live.  All deals are open to anyone in the U.S. for a brief window of time, typically available for purchase for 48-72 hours.

Here's An Exclusive Sneak Peek At This Coming Week's Deals

DealPop USA Deals

• Tuesday, November 23: Tiny Prints $40 for $20.  Enjoy $40 worth of Tiny Prints stationary and products for the price of $20. Tiny Prints offers holiday cards, holiday party invitations, holiday address labels, holiday gift tags and holiday thank you cards.

Deal Pop Los Angeles

• Monday, November 22: Hempmania - $15 for $30 for Purses, Bags, Wallets and Other Hemp Products
• Wednesday, November 24: Startronics $40 for $100 - Santa Monica - Specialize in detailing, glass tinting, paintless dent removal, car audio etc.

How DealPop Works

Just purchase your deal on DealPop.com Then, print out your deal voucher and use it online or take it to your local restaurant, club, theater, or store to redeem it, whichever is applicable. Deals are easy to share with your friends through Facebook, Twitter, or email, also, and as long as they respond before the deal offer ends, they can save big too. All DealPop social buying websites are free for consumers to use and buyers can earn $5 in free points on future purchases whenever they share a deal with someone who then signs up and purchases that deal for the first time. Consumers can sign up to receive emails highlighting the deals or even visit the site directly to see deals without logging in to view the current offer(s).  Additionally, you can like DealPop USA on Facebook and/or follow on Twitter to stay informed about new deals as well as to provide suggestions about where you'd like to get a deal. If you're a local specialty brand interested in working with DealPop USA to reach a national audience, send an email to sales@dealpop.com

GIVEAWAY CONTEST
WIN $15 in DealPop cash to use toward any purchase on their site.  Entry is really easy, just answer one or both of these questions in the comment box below.  Which of this week's DealPop deals appeals to you most?  What other deals would you would like to see DealPop offer?  When you comment be sure to leave your Twitter screen name or email address so we may contact you in the event that you are the lucky winner.  Contest ENDS 1/15/2011 at 11:59 pm PST.

FTC Disclosure:  MommyBlogExpert is a regular guest columnist for DealPop's Blog however this did not influence this post.  Additionally, MommyBlogExpert did not receive any products, 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. 

Martha Stewart Thanksgiving Cookbook - Downloadable & FREE

My MommyBlogExpert Pesto Pizza Creation

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

I'm a very active member of Martha's Circle Dreamers Into Doers social network.  In fact, I've been a huge follower of the Martha Stewart lifestyle since her first book came out about 30 years ago.  I've read all her books -- owning signed copies of many of them -- and have never missed a copy of the magazine Martha Stewart Living since the first issue was published in the mid 1980s. 

Now that I'm raising four kids, TRIPLETS plus one more all born within a year and now teens each creative and who also love cooking like I do.  So, I'm passing on that passion for everything Martha Stewart to them.  In fact now a days when I can't find my latest Martha Stewart magazine, I'll eventually discover that one of my children nabbed it first. 

Now, let me get back on subject.  With Thanksgiving coming up fast, I'd be remiss if I didn't pass on a wonderful Martha Stewart offering that you can download for free right now HERE.  This cookbook is the real deal, not just a bunch of run of the mill recipes, it is a huge PDF file loaded with more than 60 PAGES of great ideas to enhance your family's Thanksgiving celebration.

One of My Girls Prepares Her Famous Costa Rican Meat Patties With Roasted Bananas

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

I've already downloaded this free cookbook myself and you should too, if especially if you love to cook like I do.  I can't wait to start cooking for Thanksgiving with each of my children (one at a time in the kitchen, of course to maintain my sanity).  But, I've got to go and run out to do some grocery shopping first, so this post is going up right now.

Please comment and tell your stories of cooking in the kitchen with your kids.  The good, the bad, the funny, the serious, other readers of this blog and I are sure to enjoy them.

FTC Disclosure:  As disclosed above, I am a member of Martha Stewart's Dreamers Into Doers social community as well as owner of every book Martha has ever written and a long-time subscriber to Martha Stewart Living.  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.

Guess What My TEEN Daughter is Getting for Hanukkah? This Zebra Tee & Tutu Legging Set

SweetheartRose Zebra Tee & Tutu Leggings
Photo from Zulily.com

Shusssh.....don't tell Mini MommyBlogExpert, one of my 13 year-old triplets who is also a fashionista who guest blogs on MommyBlogExpert.  I just bought this darling Zebra T-shirt Ensemble by SweetheartRose for her on Zulily.com

According to Zulily's description for this product, "This is for the girl who refuses to sacrifice skirts for skipping, this sweet set has us swooning."  That alone qualifies this as the perfect holiday gift for fashion forward girls like my petite teen.  I can't wait to see how she reacts when she gets this for one of the 8 nights of Hanukkah.

Product Details:
• Includes shirt and tutu leggings
• Shirt: 60% cotton/ 40% polyester
• Leggings: 65% cotton/ 30% polyester/ 5% spandex
• Machine wash; tumble dry
• Imported

As of this blogpost SweetheartRose, a division of Kahn Lucas Lancaster, is offering this Zebra style on Zulily in sizes 6X through Size 12.  They also have a variety of other pretty clothes for girls on sale on Zulily now for those sizes as well as smaller and larger up to size 16.

Zulily's SweetheartRose Sale Ends 11/24, But Might Sell Out Sooner
If you want to buy this for a sweet girl you know, too, you better hurry.  This particular deal won't last forever and is only available on Zulily at this price until November 24 at 7 am PST or until these sell out, whichever comes first.

What is Zulily, Anyway?
Zulily.com is a social buying online marketplace where you can purchase top-quality apparel, gear and other goodies for moms, babies and kids (both boys and girls).  Members can save up to 70% off retail prices—not to mention discover all the exciting new brands showcasing their products here.   Only members can shop their sales, which typically last just a few days, but Zulily membership is FREE and sign up is fast and easy.
 

After you register, be sure to invite your friends to join, too.  For every new friend you invite to Zulily you'll receive a $10 credit to use on the site after your friend's first purchase is complete. There's no limit to how many friends you would like to invite or how many credits you can earn. As Zulily's shopping community grows, so will their ability to offer you even better prices and selection.  Based in Seattle, Washington, this online shopping opportunity was formed by retail and e-commerce veterans.  They're dedicated to bringing members great finds at great prices, as well as giving emerging brands a place to showcase their products.

Psst... Zulily tells me they'll be having lots of great upcoming promos leading into the holidays, too.  So be sure to sign up with Zulily.com so you don't miss out on these and other great perks.

What do you think of this Zebra outfit? Would your teen like this or is there something else on the Zulily site you think she'd love this holiday? Please leave a comment below this post to share it now.

FTC Disclosure:  MommyBlogExpert is a regular guest columnist for Zulily's Blog though I did purchase the outfit featured in this post.  I did not receive any products, 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.

Let Teens be Teenagers – The Ten Commandments for Parents

My Fashionista, Book Worm, Daddy's Girl & iPod Geek Teens

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

You’ve all heard the expression, “You can’t fight City Hall.”  Based on my own adventures with 4 teens (TRIPLETS, plus one more all born within a year), I've grown to realize that you can’t fight the teenage years either.

Instead, use this tenacious time in any parent’s life to inspire yourself and your adolescent to each master your own individual roles in this saga.  After all, with a wink on the eye, you’ll soon be an empty nester hopefully looking back on all the opportunities you seized on behalf of raising your family well.

Wondering how to survive?  Just try following some of these ideas and you might change your attitude toward your teen.

Daddy & Our Two Daughters, Summer Vacation 2010

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Your Teen's 10 Commandments for Mom and Dad

1- Thou shalt NOT argue with your teen.  It’s never really productive is it?  Listen more to your teen’s perspective and talk (or yell) less – you don’t always have to respond, just hearing them out is all that's needed.

2 - Thou shalt NOT write your kid’s papers or do their other schoolwork for them.  Rather, be there on-call as their brainstorming partner and editor.  Do this because we all know the sense of pride that comes with saying “I did it by myself.”

3 - Thou shalt NOT steal your teen’s sleep or when they take flight to retreat when they need to.  It’s a scientific fact that teens need a lot more rest, both in deep sleep mode and in just kicking back and relaxing to de-stress themselves, than many grown adults.  There’s no harm but only good in letting your teenager sleep late whenever it’s feasible and also just indulging him by allowing him to spend time alone holed up in his cave room at home whenever he needs to.

4 - Thou shalt NOT pry and be overly curious about everything your teen talks about with his/her friends or does with them.  They have every right to the same privacy that you do, don't you think?  As long as you’ve done your job and instilled good morals and character traits to live by in your child, you likely will have a limited amount of worrying in this department.

My Two Sons and I, November 2010

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

5 - Thou shalt NOT let the refrigerator, freezer, and panty ever get bare.  You know how grouchy you get when you are either hungry or thirsty with no relief in sight so it’s easy to see where they’re coming from on this.  Besides, your teen’s body and mind needs to eat and drink more than they ever will right now.  Your job as a parent is to keep the foods and drinks at home well-stocked being sure to have a lot of their favorites on hand, hopefully leaning toward a plentiful supply of healthy choices to them to munch out on.

6 - Thou shalt NOT disappear from being there for your son or daughter.  They may make you feel invisible a lot during this developmental stage in your kid’s life, but that doesn’t mean that your teen won’t benefit merely from your presence – albeit standing in the background off stage – waiting to be called in to help if you’re needed.

7 - Thou shalt NOT be over controlling when it comes to your teen’s acquisition of responsibility.  Sometimes the best way for a kid to learn is simply allow them to stumble and make mistakes without you always being there to catch them.  Handled this way, you increase the chances that your teen will grow into a much stronger and agile adult if they are allowed to workout and build their own muscles for dealing with life's ups and downs.

8 - Thou shalt NOT change the rules mid-game.  Once you've established guidelines for your teen in what you expect from him/her in the way of academic performance, physical fitness, chores, and any other areas (religious, musical/artistic, etc), don't backtrack.  Rules are rules and consistency in enforcing them will pay huge dividends to your sanity now and to your child as he/she moves into young adulthood.

9 - Thou shalt NOT serve as an uninspiring role model.  In other words, don't practice a double-standard between the way you behave and the behavior you expect from your teen.  "Do as I say and not as I do," is not lively to work here.  If you want you want your kid to act a certain way the most non-confrontive approach is to model for your teen by living the same sort of life that you desire your son or daughter to live.

10 - Thou shalt NOT stop learning from your teen.  Yes, that's right.  Your teen has a thing or two to teach you, too, about enjoying life more, living in the moment, and really having fun with just about anything that life throws your way.

So parents, what's stopping you?  Go for it.  Make a difference if both your life and your kid's starting right now.  You'll both be a lot better for it in the present and into the future.

Please Comment

Now it's your turn.  What other commandments could you add to this list for helping us parents to better understand and support our teens? Leave a comment and share.  I look forward to a lively conversation here on this hot topic.

Me with My Two Daughers and Oldest Son

Coors Brewery Tour, Boulder, CO - Summer 2010

FTC Disclosure:  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.

10 Tips for Stylish Layering Techniques for All Occasions - Ideas From My Teens

My Daughters Mugging for the Camera at an Event at The Grove in L.A. 

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

My 13 year-old girls have taught me so much about style especially about layering clothes, which really is an art that is either innate or can be learned.  I'm always amazed at the wonderful ensembles these two very different daughters (who are triplets) come up with -- whether they are going to a friend's house, an event, or a formal affair.  

The Elspas Girls at Laura Ingalls Farm in SD

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Come to think of it, they even layer fashionably when we are going skiing in the Sierra Mountains of California, visiting a farm on one of our family road trips, or heading to the beach.

Here's 10 Things I've learned about layering from this trendy duo

• Think creatively and never be close-minded about what types of clothing combinations you can layer together.  For example, the younger of my two girls thinks nothing of mixing a denim jacket with an elegant silk scarf accented with some contemporary costume jewelry. I so admire that she instinctively knows how to make it all work together.

• Be adventurous with fabrics, textures, prints, solids, and color.  I love the way my older daughter pulls this one off, mixing up plaids, stripes and sometimes a summer skirt with a winter sweater.  

My Younger Girl, the Queen of Accessorizing

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

• Accessorize with fun, inexpensive jewelry, hair ornaments, bags, belts and shoes.  Why stop with a lovely layered outfit? Dress it up and make it playful.

• Experiment with different looks that either include layered outfits that are monochromatic, several complementary colors, or if you're really adventurous include a riot of different bright or muted colors.

• Beg and borrow from each other, your mom, and friends to find the perfect t-shirt, tank top, blouse or sweater to go with that multi-colored embroidered jeans skirt in your closet.  It's amazing what new things you can find that look great without going shopping, but looking in other people's closets instead.

• Change up not only what you layer but how you layer the various pieces in an outfit.  For example, wear a twisted shrug instead of wearing it the regular way.  Another great idea is taking the long wool scarves that are so cozy and either twisting them rope style or just tying some strategically placed knots in the scarf before you drape it over your shoulders.

• Coordinate your favorite layered outfit with your sister's or a friend's, either by using the same color scheme or by both wearing the same layered elements such as a tank, tee, and sweater over sleek jeans. You can have a lot of fun with this one not only planning it but trying each other's layered styles.

• Organize all your layering elements in your closet and dresser.  There are several ways to tackle this. You can either hang all like colors of various wardrobe pieces together in your closet so you can easily see what you have.  Or, you might want to fold and stack all like items in your dresser, such as stacking all the different t-tops in one pile, all tanks in another, and all sweaters in yet another stack.  This way everything you have is easy to find when you need it, so you can spend more time putting your outfit together and less time looking for lost articles of clothing.

• Take the time to keep all your layering elements in tip top shape by washing or dry cleaning them as directed. Also be sure to repair tears, missing buttons and anything else that might need fixing before pieces are cleaned so that they are ready to wear when they get back to your closet.

• Edit your stock of layering pieces at the end of every season, donating to charity things that you either no longer like or that don't fit anymore.  You definitely don't want unused items of clothing taking up valuable storage real estate that could be better used for organizing the pieces that you love and wear often.

I'm so grateful that I have two fashion-forward daughters.  I know I've still got a lot to learn from them, but I am a very eager student. 

What has your kids taught you about style? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post and share it.

FTC Disclosure:  I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Cuddl Duds blogging program, making me eligible to get a $40 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.