Dad of Divas' Reviews: website
Showing posts with label website. Show all posts
Showing posts with label website. Show all posts

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Ownza.com Gives You a New Online Shopping Experience



Make a list of the things that you own and the things that you wan to own. Get cashback for posting the new things that you buy! Look what people have already added to their lists!

Think Pinterest for the things you want or already own! Too Cool!

Now when you sign up for Ownza.com, you will receive a $10 heels.com gift card! Check it out!


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Saturday, January 12, 2013

Introducing MiniTime

I wanted to let you know about MiniTime, a brand new family vacation-planning site that launched a few weeks ago. Think TripAdvisor, but just for families. MiniTime is different from other user-review sites because of the way it sorts results. When you sign up on MiniTime, your profile includes the birthdates of your kids. This ensures that you'll see reviews written by parents whose kids are the same ages as yours, and find kid-friendly hotels and attractions that are tailored especially for your family.

They're brand new, and already getting a thumbs up from parenting and travel sites. BabyCenter.com said MiniTime "makes planning family travel a cinch," while Jen Leo of The LA Times Travel Section called us "the family-travel website that moms and dads didn't even know they wanted -- let alone needed." Cool Mom Picks tagged us "a genius family travel planning website." MiniTime also recently welcomed award-winning family travel site WeJustGotBack.com into the MiniTime family.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Thursday, October 13, 2011

Gift ideas// Dorm room "Do's" for the holidays

With the holiday’s quickly approaching, I thought this may be of interest to your readers, who are in need of gifts for their college-aged kids. The Foundary, a flash sales website that offers a curated selection of home and lifestyle products from coveted brands and emerging designers at up to 70% off retail, is featuring some cool gift ideas that are practical, yet fun items just for the next couple of days.


Featured pieces include comfy eco-friendly lounge seating, a perfect fit for a college dorm or apartment, to nifty kitchen appliances and more!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Friday, October 7, 2011

Gifting Gets Social With Launch Shareagift.com


New Website Lets Groups Pool Funds to Buy Gifts Friends Actually Want; Eliminates Wasteful Spending on Useless Items


It’s your friend’s birthday and you know she really wants an iPad, but you only have enough for the classic annual scented candle. Instead of wasting money on yet another unwanted gift, what if you could go online and invite your friends and family to chip in for that iPad or other coveted item, collect the funds electronically, then get your friend what she really wants? That’s the premise behind Shareagift.com, the world’s first fully dedicated social gifting website, which launches in beta today.

Shareagift is the brainchild of Justine Angelli, CEO of Absolute Technology Portfolio (ATP), a venture capital incubator lead by a highly experienced team with a proven track record of success launching start-ups and internet business ventures.  As ATP’s latest offering, Shareagift provides a simple, fun and secure way for friends and acquaintances to collect contributions together to buy really great gifts for their friends – wherever they are in the world, from any store they like, for any gifting occasion. Available for use by anyone over the age of 18, the company promises to transform the gifting process by moving it into the realms of the social and developing a new approach to ‘social gifting’ at a time when social commerce, made popular by companies like Groupon, is proving so valuable to consumers. 

“We are changing the way people buy gifts,” said Shareagift founder Angelli. “In this economic era, everyone is tired of waste. Instead of giving a token gift the recipient may not like, Shareagift allows groups of friends to easily pool their hard-earned money and put it towards that one great gift the person really does want, whether it’s a watch, a trip, a painting, absolutely anything.”

To use the service, a primary organizer selects a gift for the chosen recipient from any retailer on or offline, or from one of Shareagift’s partners using the personalized Findagift tool on the site. The Creator then makes a Gift Page on Shareagift.com and shares it via email with their friends and contacts. Anyone who wants to contribute towards the gift can do so by making a payment through the Gift Page, using either their PayPal or credit or debit card. Once sufficient funds have been raised or the gift deadline has been reached, the Creator returns to the site to collect the money and go buy the gift.

Shareagift takes the hassle out of group gift buying, eliminating the need for the organizer to front a large sum of money, then wait, fingers crossed, for everyone to reimburse him or her. Instead, money is raised before the item is purchased, and all contributions go into a secure account, for eventual transfer into the organizers own PayPal account.  From here, he or she can also transfer the funds to their bank account to spend as cash on a gift from any store they choose. The site’s private money collection feature also benefits contributors who might otherwise hesitate to send funds to someone they barely know, while relieving them of the pressure to find an original or expensive gift.  And, since payment is made online, friends and relatives anywhere in the world can share in the gift giving.

The social nature of the site also aims to make group-gifting fun. Invitees that visit the Gift Page can see a pie chart with the targeted amount, plus who has already contributed, and how much more needs to be raised, making the fund-raising process exciting for everyone involved. Friends can upload their photo to the page and leave heartfelt messages, which can then be delivered to the recipient with the gift.

“There is an addictive quality to social gifting,” said Angelli. “Shareagift is also the perfect platform for worthy causes. What if someone wants a life-changing surgery they can’t afford? Now others can rally together to help make a difference in that person’s life. The potential for group charity on a personal scale is huge.” 

Shareagift.com launches in beta today in both the US and UK markets and across all English-speaking audiences online. The company is also developing a Facebook application that will further encourage viral spread and the social gifting concept.

For more information about Shareagift, visit www.shareagift.com.





All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Friday, September 16, 2011

New Online Community Foodiacs.com shares exclusive offerings for those passionate about food


The newest online community for food enthusiasts www.foodiacs.com announces its September 6 website launch. Foodiacs is tailored to people who are passionate about food and will connect them with product offerings that are exclusive to the site. Each Foodiacs offering will be available for only a limited time, and at a limited quantity, and will not match any offer at any other online retail outlet.

“We recognize the quality and passion that goes into creating these artisan foods and want to bring lesser known but high quality items to the forefront of the food community in a unique way,” said Katie Clegg, chief eating officer of Foodiacs.com. “Foodiacs is about helping companies get recognition for innovation and outstanding ingenuity – but more importantly it’s about connecting consumers, who are Foodiacs like us, to gourmet food artisans, epicurean products, specialty kitchen equipment and, ultimately, new experiences they’ll love.”

Foodiacs has exclusive product offerings, or events, booked through March 2012. The events will launch every one to two weeks on Tuesdays at 12 p.m. and will feature a variety of unique food-related products. Starting in 2012, the site will also connect “Foodiacs” with local food industry leaders for exclusive tastings, culinary tours and educational experiences.

The first event to be featured is Back to the Roots, a grow-it-yourself box garden of pearl oyster mushrooms. The event will run from September 6 at 12:00 p.m. ET - September 20 at 11:59 a.m. ET. Each “Foodiac” that purchases two boxes will receive a third box and classroom curriculum to be donated to the school of their choice.

The site is currently in beta form until September 6. Interested food enthusiasts can sign-up to receive news, events and product offerings via email.

About Foodiacs
Foodiacs.com is an online gathering place for the passionate eaters of the world. It connects community members with exclusive products and services, including artisan treats, high-quality kitchen tools and cookware, and elite culinary tours and classes. Starting in 2012, Foodiacs.com will also share local food-related events in regional areas, such as a special tasting event offered by a local craftworks chocolate company or a preview dinner at a new restaurant. Each Foodiac offering will be unique to the site and only available for a limited time. For more information visit: www.foodiacs.com or follow Foodiacs on Facebook and Twitter.



All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Good Housekeeping Relaunches Web Site Featuring Product Review Channel from the Research Institute


Good Housekeeping and Hearst Magazines Digital Media today announced the relaunch of GoodHousekeeping.com, powered by the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, the magazine’s state-of-the-art product testing laboratory.  The website has been completely redesigned and optimized with HTML5 to work across many platforms, including most mobile devices. It also features a new, comprehensive product channel that allows consumers to research and compare products in 129 categories, including electronics, home and kitchen appliances, cleaning supplies and toys.  Users now can access details on how products performed in the Research Institute’s scientific evaluations, including bonus information not included in the magazine. In this new channel, consumers can compare prices and click to buy without leaving the site, as well as share and compare content through social media tools including Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

The site features a virtual tour of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, located in the Hearst Tower in New York City, which is staffed by scientists, engineers, chemists and nutritionists dedicated to protecting consumers by reviewing products for safety and efficacy.  The site also includes a database of all products that carry the Good Housekeeping Seal, the famous hallmark of the magazine’s promise of quality and a limited money-back warranty, as well as a list of products with the Green Good Housekeeping Seal, an environmental extension to the primary Seal.

With a contemporary design, new interactive features, informative videos and in-depth research and recommendations, the revamped GoodHousekeeping.com mirrors the Research Institute’s mission, aesthetic and cutting-edge capabilities.  As the first website in the Hearst Digital Media portfolio built using HTML5 technology, GoodHousekeeping.com may be easily and quickly accessed via iOS, Windows and Android tablets and smartphones, making it an ideal on-the-go resource for in-store shoppers who need instant information to aid in their purchasing decisions. 

Balancing a rich heritage with a modern attitude has made Good Housekeeping one of the most enduring and respected American brands, and the leading women’s service magazine is read today by one in five American moms. The magazine’s signature elements – including practical strategies and solutions, time-saving tips, tasty recipes, and valuable information on health and consumer safety – are integral to the new GoodHousekeeping.com. 

The website has seven channels: Food & Recipes, Home & Organizing, Diet & Health, Beauty & Anti-Aging, Family & Relationships, Holidays, and Product Reviews.  Launching with more than 1,200 product reviews it will quickly grow to 3,000+, with reviews increasing monthly as new products are evaluated. 

New and updated features and tools include:

  • Kitchen Magician, a recipe search tool that helps readers find easy meal ideas, searchable by cook time, main ingredient, pantry staples and/or calorie count.  Recipes can be saved in a personal online recipe book or shared via Twitter, Facebook or email. 

  • Stain Buster, an A-Z guide to stain removal solutions that can be searched by category and stain type.

  • Virtual Anti-Aging, offering tips and products for looking younger, along with a virtual makeover tool to “see” the potential effect of various products or procedures.  

  • Diet Matchmaker, which allows users to quickly compare the details of popular diet plans and select the option that best meets their needs.

  • Ask Susan, which connects readers with Susan Westmoreland, the Good Housekeeping Research Institute Food Director, who will answer common cooking, menu idea, recipe and nutritional questions.

  • Behind the Scenes Blogs including Inside the Institute, with the latest news and research, and In the Test Kitchen, featuring the secrets behind Good Housekeeping’s delicious triple-tested recipes.

“In the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, we have the experts and the tools to evaluate products based on science and experimentation,” said Rosemary Ellis, editor in chief of Good Housekeeping. “The new GoodHousekeeping.com really brings the work we do here to life and provides information that will save users time, money and hassle.”

“We believe consumers want the great advice, recipes and product testing information from Good Housekeeping when and where they need it, so we’ve redesigned the website to be accessible on nearly every platform with innovative presentation, e-commerce capabilities and the latest social sharing features,” said Mark Weinberg vice president of programming and product strategy. “With this relaunch, Goodhousekeeping.com becomes the most inventive site in the Hearst Magazines Digital Media family. It also creates the framework for the future reinvention of the other sites in our portfolio.



All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Tuesday, September 13, 2011

New Online Community Foodiacs.com Launches

The newest online community for food enthusiasts www.foodiacs.com announces its September 6 website launch. Foodiacs is tailored to people who are passionate about food and will connect them with product offerings that are exclusive to the site. Each Foodiacs offering will be available for only a limited time, and at a limited quantity, and will not match any offer at any other online retail outlet.

“We recognize the quality and passion that goes into creating these artisan foods and want to bring lesser known but high quality items to the forefront of the food community in a unique way,” said Katie Clegg, chief eating officer of Foodiacs.com. “Foodiacs is about helping companies get recognition for innovation and outstanding ingenuity – but more importantly it’s about connecting consumers, who are Foodiacs like us, to gourmet food artisans, epicurean products, specialty kitchen equipment and, ultimately, new experiences they’ll love.”

Foodiacs has exclusive product offerings, or events, booked through March 2012. The events will launch every one to two weeks on Tuesdays at 12 p.m. and will feature a variety of unique food-related products. Starting in 2012, the site will also connect “Foodiacs” with local food industry leaders for exclusive tastings, culinary tours and educational experiences.

The first event to be featured is Back to the Roots, a grow-it-yourself box garden of pearl oyster mushrooms. The event will run from September 6 at 12:00 p.m. ET - September 20 at 11:59 a.m. ET. Each “Foodiac” that purchases two boxes will receive a third box and classroom curriculum to be donated to the school of their choice.

The site is currently in beta form until September 6. Interested food enthusiasts can sign-up to receive news, events and product offerings via email.

About Foodiacs
Foodiacs.com is an online gathering place for the passionate eaters of the world. It connects community members with exclusive products and services, including artisan treats, high-quality kitchen tools and cookware, and elite culinary tours and classes. Starting in 2012, Foodiacs.com will also share local food-related events in regional areas, such as a special tasting event offered by a local craftworks chocolate company or a preview dinner at a new restaurant. Each Foodiac offering will be unique to the site and only available for a limited time. For more information visit: www.foodiacs.com or follow Foodiacs onFacebook and Twitter.





All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Next Generation Private Sale Travel Site Launches


Spire, a new members-only travel site that offers unbeatable, limited-time deals on luxury hotels worldwide, launches today with an expertly-selected lineup of four-and five-star hotel deals that are at least 30% off the lowest offer found anywhere else. Along with these private sales, Spire also introduces a number of firsts such as its Best Deal Guarantee that make the company the most consumer-friendly flash-sale travel site yet.

Directly addressing the most common complaints that travelers have about flash sales, Spire launches with the only Best Deal Guarantee in flash-sale travel. The Guarantee not only promises the lowest price, but it also backs Spire’s pledge to deliver at least 30% off the lowest comparable offer found anywhere else. Spire is also the only site of its kind to allow easy cancellations, giving refunds for up to 72-hours after a trip is booked, minus a $29 fee.

Alan Josephs, CEO of Spire, says these consumer-friendly firsts pave the way for the next generation of limited-time private sale sites and put Spire at the forefront of the flash-sale travel category.

 “Consumers want to know that they’re getting the very best deal before they book, and they need more flexibility in instances where spontaneity may have gotten the best of them,” Josephs said. “Our Best Deal Guarantee and simple cancellation policy give travelers what they need to be more confident in their purchase,” he said.

“If a traveler finds an offer that does not meet our best deal standards, Spire will give them $100 in credit to be used on a future booking plus we will refund the difference if they happen to find a lower price elsewhere,” Josephs explains Spire’s one-of-a-kind Best Deal Guarantee.

Other consumer-friendly benefits include Spire Perks, which are valuable extras, such as room upgrades and spa credits, paired with almost every deal. Spire also makes checking airfare simple by including Kayak search functionality and offers the help and expert advice of U.S.- and U.K.-based luxury travel specialists by phone at no charge.

Spire’s Hotel Deals
Despite these slow economic times, a recent poll of 2,215 luxury travelers conducted by Spire revealed that 74% have splurged on their hotel budget in 2011. When asked how they decide where to go on vacation, nearly one-quarter waits until a great deal pops up in a destination they would enjoy.

This shows that consumers seek both luxury and affordability, which Josephs confirms: “Many travelers are still splurging on their hotel budgets, but they are also looking for a deal. Spire works closely with its hotel partners to deliver the deals they need at the luxury hotels they desire.”

Spire’s in-house destination experts evaluate each hotel and resort individually on requirements such as amenities, services, reputation, recommendations, customer reviews, site visits and much more. Only available to registered members, Spire’s private sales last up to 14 days, giving travelers more flexibility and planning power than other flash-sale travel sites.

Here’s a sampling of deals found on Spire now:

§  A Historic Hotels of America boutique property in New York City for $299 per night (was $449)
§  An all-inclusive, eco-friendly resort in Antigua for $275 per night (was $396)
§  A Condé Nast Hot List pick and authentic palace in Morocco for $140 per night (was $279)
§  A Condé Nast Traveler Gold List resort in Riviera Maya for $94 per night (was $140)

To join Spire’s private community and get access to members-only hotel deals, go tospire.com and sign-up for free or go to facebook.com/spiretravel and sign-up through our sweepstakes for a chance to win a 4-night stay at Cavallo Point – The Lodge at the Golden Gate and $2,500 in Spire credit.



All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
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Thursday, June 16, 2011

Dad's life made easier with new photo sharing product

It’s summer.  For busy families everywhere, life is twice the fun and four times more hectic.  Check out a new photo sharing site that will make sharing these memories as simple as one click of the button.  Just made available, PhotoRocket was designed with moms and dads in mind who want to share their favorite photos to friends and family via email, Facebook, Flickr.  I invite you to download PhotoRocket <http://www.photorocket.com> here and tell me what you think!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
 
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Saturday, June 11, 2011

Overstock.com Fathers Day Giveaway

Overstock would celebrate fathers this fathers day with an amazing giveaway! All people are eligible to win a three-night stay in San Francisco—with their families, of course. And the whole family will attend an Oakland As’ baseball game at the newly named Overstock.com Coliseum. Here are the details:

  • The sweepstakes will run June 10-19.
  • Those who visit http://www.overstock.com/fathers-day can register and enter to win a three-night stay in San Francisco and tickets for the family (up to 5 people) to catch an Oakland As’ game at Overstock.com Coliseum in the Diamond Suite.
  • Hotel, airfare and game tickets will all be taken care of by Overstock.
  • The trip is available through September 22 (after that, the As aren’t at home).

I would love for one of you to win this prize so enter today!


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
 
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Monday, June 6, 2011

Loving Eco Launces Today

LovingEco, launching today, is a private members, social commerce platform, that offers unsurpassed and innovative eco-friendly products at exclusive price points (up to 70% off retail), without compromising style. LovingEco is an advocate of ‘style for change’; an opportunity for consumers to ‘vote with their wallets’, making smarter choices about the products they purchase, so that together, we can create a more environmentally and socially conscious planet.



Through a series of limited-time and brand-specific sale events, subscribing consumers are given the opportunity to access and shop eco-friendly, fair trade and natural products at a discount across product categories of: fashion, accessories, beauty and mom and baby. 



Each sale features the best eco-friendly brands from top-notch companies, which are hand-selected and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  LovingEco brings exclusive sales and products regularly to their customers, allowing a unique, one of a kind, shopping experience.



Key launch brands in the fashion space include:

Beatrix NY                                                      Organically Grown                                             
Sustainable Kids

Green As Wee Grow                                        Rebel Green

iPlay                                                                 SIGG



“LovingEco is a passion project for me; to educate and protect women’s health by creating a community of conscious consumption, and to create a sustainable way of giving back,“ says Melinda Moore, Founder and President of www.lovingeco.com. “I have always embraced a natural lifestyle and this is a way for me to inspire other women to discover many innovative and stylish eco brands.”



“Like many women, as a mother I became more aware of the ingredients of products that came in contact with me and my family, along with the longer term environmental impact of everything we consume,“ says Founder and CEO of the site, Justine Lassoff. “I founded LovingEco to curate and promote the best eco-friendly products for women to make it easy to access healthier product choices, while creating a fun and fashion-forward ecommerce platform.”







Background on co-founders Melinda Moore and Justine Lassoff



Justine Lassoff: With a background in digital media – Justine Lassoff was Vice President of Marketing for digital entertainment media start up FirstLook backed by idealab!, and Kleiner Perkins.  Starting her career in digital technology and video gaming at Virgin Interactive and MGM Interactive. Justine Lassoff is also an accredited interior designer. A graduate of the UCLA Interior Design program, she successfully founded her own design firm, garnered a prestigious design award and completed high-end residential projects for numerous celebrity and entertainment clients. She has also managed a family retail business, as buyer, manager and interior designer. Noting her expertise, Justine Lassoff brings a unique skill set at the intersection of the Internet, design and retailing businesses.  She has served on the Board of Step Up Women’s Network and is key member and fundraiser for Team Parkinson.  Justine received her B.A. Stanford University.



Melinda Moore: Melinda Moore is an award-winning integrated marketing executive with more than 15 years of big consumer brand marketing communications, mobile and digital experience.  Most recently, she was the vice president in the convergence department at Rogers and Cowan where she oversaw integrated communications and social media strategies for Scion, Majesco Entertainment and Tongal.  She specialized in managing the creation and execution of large, cross-platform campaigns and has worked with leading entertainment and technology companies including Citibank, Credo Mobile, msnbc.com, Netflix, LIVESTRONG, Orbitz, SONY and YouTube.  Melinda is a frequent speaker on social media and has garnered many awards including a Webby and a Silver MIXX Award.   She was also instrumental in selling STV Communications to Sonic Foundry for $66M in 2000.  She is very active in the non-profit sector and is a founding member of StartingBloc LA and served on the Board of Step Up Women’s Network for many years.  Melinda received her B.A. from UCLA.



All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
   
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Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Web-based Platform Reignites Storytelling For All Family Members

Be There Bedtime Stories (www.betherebedtimestories.com) announces “Webtime Stories™;” a web-based storytelling platform that offers families far apart the opportunity to be there for the tradition of storytelling at bedtime or anytime. By leveraging webcam technology and children’s e-books, Be There Bedtime Stories brings storytelling to life via the Internet. 

Creating a Webtime Story is simple:  1) choose from over 250 published children’s books licensed to the online bookstore at www.betherebedtimestories.com; 2) read the story in front of a webcam as it displays on the computer screen and; 3) the webcam recorded video of the storyteller is position on each page and a link to the Webtime Story is emailed to unlimited family members, viewable unlimited times. The price for unlimited access to a Webtime Story is currently $9.99, with subscription plans scheduled to launch in June.

“As social media platforms continue to grow and video chat is rapidly adopted, Webtime Stories represent a new generation of storytelling, using technologies that enrich relationships despite any distance apart,” said Alison Sansone, creator of Webtime Stories and founder of Be There Bedtime Stories.

“With millions of parents separated from their children nightly for many reasons from divorce, to military deployment to business travel, Webtime Stories add a new dimension to the age-old tradition of storytelling, keeping families connected, enabling child development, and creating recorded keepsakes.”

Webtime Stories™ Foster Literacy
The parent-approved, easy-to-use platform also delivers the added benefit of fostering literacy. Whether watching and listening to the storyteller on each page or recording their own Webtime Story, kids are engaging in proven read-aloud techniques that build language and literacy.
Sansone founded Be There Bedtime Stories to allow her to stay involved in the daily lives of her two nieces living more than 2,000 miles away. Forming a partnership with Blue Star Families (www.bluestarfamilies.com), a national military family support organization, was a natural extension of Sansone’s vision to connect families instantly and connect future generations because the recordings last forever.

About Be There Bedtime Stories
Be There Bedtime Stories is a creative webcam storytelling platform that produces memorable experiences for families by allowing them to “be there” through the tradition of storytelling. Founded by Alison Sansone, the format of combining webcam storytelling narrated by a family member provides a kid-friendly, family bonding form of multi-media which encourages budding readers and develops literacy skills. Currently, the company has acquired licensing from eight initial publishers to more than 250 published titles, including a variety of genres (e.g., educational, character building, holiday, Spanish language titles, etc.) appropriate for ages two through eight years old. For more information, visit www.betherebedtimestories.com or engage on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Be-There-Bedtime-Stories. 

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
   
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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

New Online Resource for Parents

Parenting just became a little easier with the launch of Figling.com, a new, hyper local online community with resources and recommendations for parents, by parents. Starting with a Los Angeles launch, the nationwide Figling.com will expand to several major markets in the coming months, including San Francisco, Chicago and New York. Figling’s services will be available in more than 25 cities by the end of 2011.

Figling.com was launched to fill the void of online referral services that cater to families and their needs. The site provides families with comprehensive kid-friendly event listings, as well as trusted word-of-mouth referrals for goods and services, such as camps, schools, nannies, handymen, and more. To ensure legitimacy and authenticity, all recommendations are manually vetted by Figling staff. 

“Figling was created to fill a major need for parents and families to have a convenient, one-stop online resource for the most important things a family needs in their lives,” said Maya Fidler, CEO and Founder, Figling.com. “Families function far differently today than ever before, and with so much clutter and suspicion on the Internet, Figling.com is a trusted partner for parents to make their lives, and their children’s lives, easier.”

Figling is free, and parents along with local businesses can immediately begin submitting events and resources to share within their local community. With an emphasis on families meeting offline, user event submissions are categorized by age, indoor events and outdoor events, among others, and can be filtered for the user’s convenience.  The site also provides a weekly newsletter for registered users that offers a helpful list of upcoming events and things to do with families. 

About Figling.com  
Founded by parents, for parents, Figling.com is every family’s one-stop resource for events, services, word-of-mouth referrals, recommendations and news. All event and referral submissions for Figling.com are vetted by a staff support team for authenticity. Featuring local content for major markets, including Los Angeles, Figling will expand to 25 cities in 2011. Launched in 2010, Figling’s executive team includes former Yahoo! and Los Angeles Times executives. For more information, visit www.figling.com


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
  
 
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Thursday, April 21, 2011

Celebrate Mother's Day with Great Photo Gifts from Snapfish

As you’re gearing up for Mother’s Day on May 8 and searching for the perfect keepsake for yourself or your readers, I wanted to provide you with a few gift recommendations from HP and Snapfish that we think moms will love! These include:

Available from Snapfish.com

  • Photo books – Honor mom by capturing her favorite moments in a personalized photo book. You can even archive her favorite family recipes! Snapfish offers photo books with many creative layouts and a range of sizes including 8x11, 8x8, 5x7 and even 4x6 flip books, great for all occasions.Leather bracelet with photo charm – Put mom’s favorite picture on a bracelet so she can wear it every day.
  • Sterling silver swinging locket – Looking for a gift she’ll cherish forever? Snapfish’s new sterling silver necklace with swinging locket allows you to display mom’s favorite photo in a locket that is sealed in a waterproof, UV-resistant coating to protect the image. Sent in a gift box, Snapfish does the wrapping for you.
  • Keepsake Box – Perfect for keeping all her prized possessions in one place, this beautiful keepsake box is made of dark-stained wood and features one glossy photo tile, measuring 5" X 2¼" deep.
  • Hardcover Journal – Inspire mom by helping her record her special day and year with a personalized journal by Paper Coterie. The journal features a photo and several custom designs she’ll flip for.
  • Photo greeting card – Who doesn’t love a thoughtful greeting card? But why settle for one you can buy anywhere?  Instead, show your appreciation for mom by sending her a personalized photo greeting card on her special day. Snapfish offers a myriad of selections with more than 3,000 designs. You can even create a recordable greeting card to show mom how much you care, whether she’s close or far.

    Available at your local Walmart:
  • Photo books– Looking for a thoughtful gift that’s easy on your wallet and your busy life?  You can create and purchase a treasured keepsake while catching up on errands at your local Walmart.  HP and Walmart offers instant Photo Books in sizes ranging from 4x6 to 12x12 (product availability varies by store). Even better, Walmart is offering a price rollback now through June 30th for great gifts at significant savings.
  • Photo greeting card – Waited until the last minute to get Mom a card, but don’t want to settle for the picked-over selection at the store?  Create a custom photo greeting card in-store at Walmart and watch Mom smile as she opens it. 
My Take on Snapfish and Their Services
I had the opportunity to try out Snapfish and their services and I was amazed at the breadth and depth of their products. From the pendant listed above to a myriad of different photo books, you can make almost any memento that you can think of. I played around with the site and was intrigued to find how easy the site was to use. In seconds you can upload pictures and start making a photo book or special mothers day card or other unique gift. The sky is the limit! For me, I used a giftcard that I received to make a photo book that I think someone will definitely like (I'm not saying whom for wandering eyes may be watching). 

So if you have a special mom in your life that you are looking for a wonderful unique gift, look no further than snapfish.com where you can let your creativity soar and you can make purely spectacular things!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
   
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