superdumb supervillain

Mr. Chewy: Delivering Pet Happiness

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:08:43 PST

Mr. Chewy is a new shopping destination for pet lovers. We have four cats, a basset hound, two frogs and a turtle, so I'd say our household is definitely in their target demographic.

It seems like I am always making a last-minute run to the pet food store, so I was intrigued by the concept of ordering supplies online. Mr. Chewy offers free shipping on orders over $49 and if you schedule regular deliveries, you'll receive 15% off your first shipment. Plus, they stock over 70 of the most popular pet food and flea/tick protection brands.

I placed an order for two bags of the Iams cat food we usually buy. The price was comparable to our local chain pet emporium. I received an email saying my order was on its way within a couple of hours- it was crazy fast! Also crazy was the fact that it arrived via FedEx Saturday delivery with no extra charge. If you consider I didn't pay shipping (since my total was above $50) or sales tax, Mr. Chewy gives those big guys a run for their money!

Fluffy asks "is that for me?"

I was impressed with how many varieties of food they stock, from huge brands to more obscure ones. I'd like to see Mr. Chewy expand their offerings to include toys and other accoutrements for cats and dogs, not just food and treats. It would be great if they offered supplies for other pets, too. Say, for example, turtles or dwarf frogs. Just something to consider for the future…

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received credit to shop online at Mr. Chewy in order to facilitate this review, which was made possible by Mom Spark Media. As usual, all thoughts are my own.

Frugal Dad Knows Cool Stuff…

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:30:49 PST

… like the real cost of cupcakes:
and just how common pawn shops are in the US: Source: http://frugaldad.com

January 23rd: National Handwriting Day

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:16:23 PST

I used to have excellent penmanship. I remember using the very smallest micro-lead mechanical pencils and practicing on vellum with a lined guidesheet underneath, just for kicks. I liked using inkwells and pens with nibs, especially white ink on dark paper. I pored over manuals of calligraphy and typography with a watchful eye. Over the years, my handwriting has gone dramatically downhill. Nowadays, it's a near doctor-caliber catscratched scrawl. I type so much that I actually get a hand cramp when I address holiday cards. Embarrassing!

I was surprised to discover that many of our local schools don't teach cursive until higher grades, if at all. Our school, thankfully, starts it pretty early. Jasper is still on block letters but will be learning cursive in kindergarten. Roo likes to write stories and make her own books. She has two distinct styles: the blocky handwriting she uses for quickly jotting down thoughts and the rather florid, loopy script she painstakingly executes on her important drawings and notes. Not that she doesn't like to text with ridiculous acronyms, of course, but at least she's still mostly analog for the time being and still stands a chance at growing up with reasonably attractive handwriting.

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Calligraphy and handwriting is an inextricable part of national identity in many cultures. While the student is mastering this skill, she is also learning its importance in our history. By tracing it through Greek, Roman, Medieval, and Renaissance era, she can follow the flow of thought and form. Each area of the world reveals itself through how its people write.

In a related discipline, learning to write longhand-whether it is introduced after learning separated letters or taught from the beginning-has been shown to create different pathways in the brain and encourage a different kind of thinking. As Emerson said about correspondence, "...for in a letter, we have not better things to say but surely say them better." A student who has hand-lettered a poem, like a student who has drawn a vase or sketched a face, has learned to see deeply and uniquely.

Writing by hand still enables writers to express themselves and readers to respond to their ideas in ways that no other medium can provide.

On January 23, 1737, John Hancock, whose name has become synonymous with the art of the signature, was born in Braintree, Massachusetts. Every year, the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association (WIMA) sponsors National Handwriting Day on this date to remind Americans of the importance of handwriting.

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Margaret Shepherd, author of The Art of the Handwritten Note and The Art of the Personal Letter, as well as top calligraphy books Learn Calligraphy and Learn World Calligraphy, says that learning handwriting is an irreplaceable part of an intelligent person's education. Here are some ways she suggests to honor National Handwriting Day:

National Handwriting Day is the perfect time to close your laptop, dust off your pen, open you box of notecards and treat some friends to a real note from you. Maybe you could have thanked someone more warmly for a gift, or sent a proper "bread-and-butter letter" for hospitality? Ink on paper is the gold standard for saying thank you in ways that matter.
National Handwriting Day might seem like the perfect day to wring your hands and bemoan the death of penmanship, especially if you're a grandparent who has given up waiting for thank-you notes from grandchildren for holiday gifts a few weeks ago. Don't! Whenever I hear this from grandparents, I ask them to think about how many thank you notes those children have ever received in their lives. How can you expect them to give someone else a treat they've never experienced themselves? Make it a project this year to send THEM a thank-you note, prompt and particular, for something they do for you.
People sometimes tell me that they don't send anything in the mail anymore because they hate their handwriting. That's like saying you're going to wear a mask because you don't like your own face, or hire someone else to do your phone calls because you don't like your own voice. How you write and sound and look is you, and people who receive mail from you will be so blown away that critiquing your penmanship won't enter their heads. Provide yourself with nice stationery. Upgrade your pen. Warm up your arm [and get the ink flowing] with half a minute of repetitive swirls. And sit comfortably at a flat working surface with your writing arm supported. You'll be surprised how your writing will improve.

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that most of this article, including the tips, came directly from a press release. I thought it was an interesting topic to share with my readers, however I will receive a free copy of the book pictured in return for posting and just wanted to let you know. All opinions are my own, as usual.

Wordless Wednesday - Geocaching

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:21:33 PST

Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!

Before you leave, have you entered all of my giveaways?

Girl Scout Overnight Campout at Starwoods

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:10:13 PST

FYI- Girl Scout cookie sales begin on Saturday 1/21/12. Roo would be pleased to sell you a case or two, should you not have any Brownies nearby, just let us know what you need…

Sharing the (International) Delight with Iced Coffee

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:58:46 PST

Remember how I got to try the new International Delights Iced Coffee a couple of weeks ago? Well, they are available in the dairy section of Walmart and Sam's Club locations nationwide now. As if that wasn't exciting enough, I was asked to surprise a friend with a special delivery of all three flavors. My care package went to Caryn from Rockin Mama.

When I first "met" Caryn, we were both new moms starting blogs. It's been a long time since then! I don't get to see her as often as I'd like since she's on the west coast and I'm stuck out in the flatlands but we run into each other online a lot. I even got to meet her hubby last year at a Ford event in Detroit. She seemed like a good candidate for an iced coffee break, so I tweeted a little hint to her:

I pulled out my ice cream maker to see how the International Delight Iced Coffee would freeze up but to my horror, the chemical freezing agent had somehow eaten through the nonstick coating and crystallized. Ick. I went to plan B and blended it up with a couple of ice cubes. Definitely not ick! A really nice treat and not overly indulgent, either, at only 150 calories per cup.

I wonder which flavor Caryn will like the most? I'm thinking she might be a Mocha girl! We'll just have to see…

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In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that this shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. All opinions are my own, as usual. #CBias

Time-Sensitive Movie Night

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:50:53 PST

We don't get out to movies nearly enough anymore. Sometimes it's just as much fun to get some takeout and kick back on the couch to watch a couple of new DVDs. We watched these two over the weekend and enjoyed them both, although they're about polar opposites, visually and thematically:

The Big Year is a sweet-natured comedy about birdwatching featuring Jack Black, Steve Martin and Owen Wilson. I don't think there is an unrecognizable face in it, with a zillion cameos from actors ranging from Anjelica Huston to Anthony Anderson, including the disembodied voice of John Cleese. The travel imagery and wealth of bird knowledge made for an engaging backdrop. (It made me want to see the documentary Winged Migration again, actually.) Jack Black and Rashida Jones' bird calling skills are impeccable.

In Time is a sci-fi thriller set in the not-too-distant future where time is, literally, money and no one visibly ages past 25. Justin Timberlake stars as the boy from the wrong side of the tracks who falls for a girl with all the time in the world, played by Amanda Seyfried. It's a super stylish look at class warfare and the price of immortality. Seyfried is almost unrecognizable with a blunt auburn bob in the film, she looks straight out of a Prada ad. In Time is so visually appealing that even the cop cars are cool. If you liked Gattaca, you'll like this, too.

Both of these films will be available on January 31st.
Follow Fox Home Entertainment on Twitter for more information on upcoming releases.

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received screening copies of these DVDs to facilitate this review.

Wordless Wednesday - Winter at the Zoo

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:47:51 PST

Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!

Before you leave, have you entered all of my giveaways?

Get Spinning with Rafflecopter

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:35:27 PST

I love giving things away on my blog but I must admit that it is a gigantic pain in the butt. You have to track and verify entries, randomly select winners, track them down and update. Constantly and on a set schedule. Time management is not my strong suit, so this is often problematic. I've seen a bunch of "solutions" to online giveaways pop up over the years but when Rafflecopter launched last year, there was a collective sigh of relief from bloggers – and contest addicts– everywhere.

In an effort to spread the word about its new, improved (and still FREE!) version, Rafflecopter is holding a special giveaway through the month of January. Enter via the widget below for a chance to win an iPad 2 or one of several Kindle Fires. You will not believe how simple it is to enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway So, what do you think?

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received no compensation for writing this post, but if someone enters via the widget I posted, I'll win a Kindle Fire, too. Just so you know, folks.

CanvasPop: Instagrams as Wall Art

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 12:48:19 PST

Everyone I know seems to be addicted to Instagram. I've seen amazing images created by folks who would never call themselves particularly creative. And by people who are, indeed, artists in real life. My instagrams are a mixed bag but I love the square format and retro charm they add to my iPhone snapshots. They remind me of old prints you'd fine in a shoebox tucked away and long forgotten. But how to bring the awesomeness out of the online world and into your living room? Easy: print your Instagrams on ready-to-hang canvas wall art.

CanvasPop has introduced a service that allows you to print your Instagrams on pre-stretched canvas squares. Right now, you can get these at super low introductory prices: $29.95 for 12" x 12" and $59.95 for 20" x 20" prints with $14 flat-rate shipping to the US and Canada and free shipping on orders over $150. Regular prices are $79 and $114, respectively, so this is really a remarkable deal!

I ordered a triptych of hippos at the zoo with Roo and Jasper for my office:

Do you have any special ideas for your Instagrams? Let me know. Follow me on Instagram and get $30 off any CanvasPop order of $80 or more with my affiliate link.

FYI: CanvasPop is giving away one Instagram canvas print per day! Tag your images #canvaspop and type: "I want this photo printed on canvas with #CanvasPop" to be automatically entered to win!

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received no compensation for writing this post. I just thought it was an awesome deal. However, if you click on any of the links and purchase more than $100, I could get some affiliate credit to buy more stuff there. So you know.

SuperMoms Web Series

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:13:20 PST

I'm a bit perturbed I wasn't asked to be in this web series. No, not really, although I do have a sick desire to be animated in a unitard. (I have already been drawn by world famous cartoonists, just not in full, dynamic motion.) All kidding aside, ignore the fact that show is a thinly-veiled long-format Clorox ad and just enjoy it for what it is: the story of four moms who moonlight as superheroes united against their arch-enemy, Dr. Deconstructo. I hope he's a good supervillain…
The first episode of SuperMoms premieres January 17th on Facebook. And, yes, that is the girl from Chasing Amy.

Wordless Wednesday- Happy 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 22:00:08 PST

Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!

Before you leave, have you entered all of my giveaways?

International Delight Iced Coffee Taste Teaser

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:45:57 PST

I know that this will shock some of you but I'm only kind of a coffee snob. I like a dark, rich roast and high caffeine content, having weathered several gloomy winters in the Pacific Northwest, but I also tend to prefer my coffee on ice. My mom has always been an iced coffee fanatic, so maybe that's where I get it from. Unlike me, however, she likes her coffee with tons of sugar– it's almost a coffee syrup. Rarely do we agree on coffee beverages but both of us can attest to the convenience and tastiness of International Delight's new line of Iced Coffee, which will be available in the dairy section of Walmart stores everywhere on January 15th.

I like to start my day off with coffee but my husband is not a fan. In fact, he even hates the smell of coffee. Absurd! Iced coffee is generally less aromatic than its hot counterpart, so it offends his olfactory senses less and I don't have to see him wincing first thing in the morning. (No, he doesn't make a big deal out of it but I try to be sensitive to his needs. I'm awesome like that.) If I just have to stumble out of bed and pour, so much the simpler. Check out our fully-loaded fridge:

Three delectable flavors. Which one shall I try first? Mocha, of course! I am a total chocoholic, so it was the obvious choice. Not too sweet, not too thick. I would have preferred a darker chocolate flavor but it was more of a milky chocolate, still delicious. I imagine it would be even better frozen and blended. Mmm! I had to remind myself not to drink the whole carton in one sitting. It's awfully easy to pour over ice and suck down.

I like to add an extra shot or two of coffee, to make up for the melting ice. I suppose if you planned ahead you could make espresso cubes to alleviate the dilution. Or just throw caution to the wind and blend it up with some ice cream or fro-yo, perhaps a splash of Kahlua… I won't tell a soul.

Which flavor would you try first?

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New Year, New iPad Tote

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:55:45 PST

I've been contemplating carrying a smaller bag now that the kids don't require me to cart around so much… stuff. Bob favors surplus artillery pouches for his sketchbooks and pens, something that size would be cool. I like the idea of something slim and utilitarian, although a little bit of sparkle might be nice. Here's my current top contender, The Sak's Parker Leather Flap Messenger:

The Sak

Parker Leather Flap Messenger

Special Web Pricing $94, Regular Pricing $1298.5"L x 2"W x 10.5"H, Drop: up to 23"Antiqued silver tone hardwareExterior: Leather with polyurethane trimInterior lined with polyesterFlap closure with snapTwo front outside pockets, one with flap snap closure, the other with zipper closureFeatures 5 credit card slots and a picture window, two interior multi use pockets and a zippered back wall pocketBack pocket fits an iPad and is padded for extra protection

Looks like the perfect size, sleek but useful and big enough for the iPad. I especially love it in graphite metallic leather.

What's your favorite tablet tote?

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:49:41 PST

Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!

Before you leave, have you entered all of my giveaways?

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 13:54:16 PST

From our family to yours…

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Jolly whatever-you-may-celebrate!

Happy Hanukkah from the PJ Library

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:35:08 PST

Roo has been asking a lot of questions about being Jewish this year. She was excited about Hanukkah as early as Thanksgiving! I'm glad that she is curious about her heritage but I'm a little overwhelmed since my formal Hebrew school and Jewish education stopped when my parents split up when I was 9. (I also quit Japanese school around this time, another regrettable decision.) I haven't been to temple in years and have been fumbling with the Hebrew prayers. Roo asked me to write them down for her, so she could say them, too, and I had to admit that I've been saying them phonetically. Lame!

Yeah, yeah, I know… Wikipedia helps*. But kids want to know more about tradition and culture, real-life stuff, not just the whys and wherefores. I'm a big believer in the concept of family literacy and lifelong learning, so I was extremely excited to learn about the PJ Library, an organization that shares the gift of free Jewish children’s books and the message of Jewish values with families across the globe.

Inspired by Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which sends free books to children in underserved areas of the US, PJ Library founder Harold Grinspoon sought to adapt the same concept to engage Jewish families. In 2005, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation started sending 200 free Jewish children’s books monthly. Now, more than 200,000 books go out each month to children in 155 communities across North America and Israel and the number is growing every day.

"PJ” stands for the pajamas worn at bedtime. Program organizers say a bond is formed between children and their parents during typical bedtime reading sessions and reading these PJ Library books together can encourage learning about the Jewish culture, religion, and traditions for both the parents and children. We received a great box to get started with:

Both kids love the books- especially the silly ones! Roo has already been trying out the Hebrew words from the CD, too. It's been fun to try and explain borscht and the concept of keeping kosher to them. On a monthly basis the PJ Library mails a Jewish children’s book or CD to participating homes addressed to the child, helping them to build their own library and inspire a passion for reading.

Currently 85,000 children between the ages of six months and eight years in more than 155 communities in the United States and Canada are enrolled in the PJ Library program. I was impressed to see that there is a PJ Library community here in Wichita! Check the website to see if there is a PJ Library community located near you.

New York stands out as the largest PJ Library program in the US with 10,000 monthly deliveries – and the expectation is that it will double within the next year to 20,000 families. With two million Jews in New York, the city is second only to Tel Aviv in the size of its Jewish population.

*FYI: My aunt pointed me to the excellent web resource Judaism 101, which I will be cribbing from, liberally, too. She printed out the prayers for everyone to say the other night at my grandpa's.

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that we received the box of books shown to facilitate our understanding of the PJ Library and their good works. All opinions are my own, as usual.

Gearing Up for Christmas with #SearsRealCheer

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:31:00 PST

It's a really good thing I went shopping for holiday accoutrements last week. The mall would be a horrible place to be the nearer we get to the Big Day, especially since I seem to have developed the plague*. You'll be pleased to note that my holiday decor has progressed past one Santa towel in the bathroom. We even got the tree up and festooned with all the tchotkes I bought at Sears! I'm not quite decking the halls with boughs of holly, but but for me, this is festive.

We've been lighting Hanukkah candles every night before we plug in the tree, very multicultural and festive.

No, Bob is not the unabomber. Thanks for asking.

I really like how well the ornaments I bought from Sears blend in with the few that we already had. They have kind of a vintage vibe and seem very well made. Only one glass ornament broke during Operation Tree Decoration and it was entirely my fault. RIP peppermint candy, RIP. As much as I like all of the decorative decorations (I know, that sounds weird), I think my favorite purchase was the multipack of wintery trees meant for dioramas or trainsets. The kids have been moving them all over the house, making little tableaux of Polly Pockets and Star Wars guys. Totally the reason for the season, y'all.

*Well, it's probably just a cold or the flu but I like to be dramatic. Not least because I had a bad reaction to platelet donation on Monday that made my arm swell up and turn all sorts of freaky inhuman colors. It's back into the realm of black and blue but still looks revolting. Jasper is excited because he thinks I might be turning into a zombie. Sigh.

I hope you're well beyond where I am for holiday preparedness but if not, remember you can avoid the crowds and shop from the comfort of your own home any time, day or night at sears.com/holidayshop. If you need extra-added help stoking your holiday spirit, the Sears Cheer Tree can help with hints and stories from their Holiday Cheer Squad and a Cheer Tree mosaic that you can add your own holiday decorating photos to and search for special offers and deals. You can even order fresh live Christmas trees, wreaths and greenery online!

Keep Busy Over the Holidays with Pottery Barn Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:10:37 PST

The kids have been out of school since last week and are already underfoot. They take after me and are reluctant to head outside when the temperature dips, unlike their stalwart father. Also, I'm a bit under the weather, a fact which is particularly inconvenient since I am a procrastinator and still have unwrapped gifts, un-sent cards (sorry far-flung relatives, look for 'em around New Year's…) and a messy house to deal with. Blargh.

The holidays are in full swing already, being the third day of Hanukkah. Roo is incredibly interested in all things Jewish this year, so we've been lighting the menorah and I've been reciting the prayers in Hebrew school dropout mode, much to her delight.

I got a bunch of fabulous and timely craft ideas from the Pottery Barn Kids Design Studio via email, yay! Now if they would only send us new bedroom furniture so I could replace Roo's evil green bunkbed of doom…obviously my fever is making me delusional.

Here are a couple of their great ideas to help your family share the joy of Hanukkah! This crafty Menorah is easy to assemble – and best of all, kids can "light" the candles on their own to celebrate each night of Hanukkah.

Bring a little sparkle to Hanukkah celebrations with creative Glittery Dreidel Place Cards. They're simple for kids to make and add a fun element of festivity to the table – plus, they make great party favors. Jasper loves to sing "Dreidel, Dreidel" over and over again, even though he only remembers the one line. Heh.

Even non-Jews will agree that holiday treats are extra sweet when shared in homemade containers. Part party favor and part accessory, these Personalized Take-Out Containers, Glass Cookie Jars and Cookie Boxes are fun for kids to customize and then fill with delicious cookies and candies! A craft and a gift, all in one adorable package…

Check out these tips for planning a Christmas Cookie Exchange, including recipes, invitations and “how to” videos.

Last-minute wrapping to do? Give your presents that extra little flourish of hand-crafted care, and try one of our creative approaches to gift wrapping. Make your presents even more magical this season with Starry Wrap, Keepsake Footprint Paper and Rudolph’s Nose Wrap. My cats would go nuts for that yarn "nose"

For more holiday ideas or for inspiration and advice year-round, visit the Pottery Barn Kids Design Studio. I was not compensated for this post, just thought my readers might like some busywork with attractive results for their kiddos, too.

I He♥rt Jonathan Toubin

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:36:30 PST

A million, trillion years ago, way back when I was in college, my roommate Jennifer and I did ridiculous things like bake ugly cakes for a Donny Osmond birthday celebration. Here's a fine example:

One of our friends and fellow DJs at the student radio station was a guy named Jonathan Toubin. Eccentric and loveable, he was a constant presence in the Austin music scene, both as a fan and player. I think this photo was taken when we were still underage, prior to him growing the biggest, fuzziest mutton chops I had ever seen…

Jonathan still DJs rock and roll dance parties, in his home base of Brooklyn and beyond, under the name New York Night Train. A few weeks back he was in Portland for a show when he fell victim to a truly horrific accident. He never did anything that wasn't opulent but this was a shocker. He has had several operations and is still in the hospital.

Friends from all over have been organizing benefits to raise money for Jonathan's recovery. The website I Heart Jonathan Toubin has a list of these events, check and see if there is one near you! You can also donate money via PayPal or buy a super-duper cool t-shirt (as seen on Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs!) to help.

Jennifer and I have vowed that when Jonathan DJs his next show, we'll fly out to make it and shake a tailfeather or two…

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:13:46 PST

Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!

Before you leave, have you entered all of my giveaways?

GameStop "Jingle in Your Pocket" at Mom Spark

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:52:09 PST

GameStop is sponsoring a crazy contest over at Mom Spark to promote their trade-in program this holiday season. It's not only used games and consoles that you can trade: you can also bring in your old iPods, iPhones and iPads for cash or store credit.

It would be awfully nice to win the $1000 gift card, don't you think? Roo definitely thinks so– she's already picked out the first thing she'd buy…

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I have written this for a chance to win the aforementioned gift card. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own, as usual.

#SearsRealCheer Holiday Shopping

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:26:08 PST

I am a bit of a "Bah, Humbug!" girl. Not because I'm cheap or mean, necessarily, but because the holiday season is not my favorite time of year. If I didn't have kids, I would probably blow off the whole thing and hole up at home to watch all four seasons of Sons of Anarchy. In deference to Roo and Jasper, however, I am trying to get into the holiday spirit.

Our sole tradition, started when we moved into the house six years ago, was to buy a potted dwarf pine tree to decorate and then plant it in our yard once the ground thaws in springtime. This past summer was so hot and dry, though, that it killed all of our previous trees. I think we're going to go with a faux pine this year, borrowed from my mom who has somehow gone Christmas decor crazy. I was raised Jewish and my mother has never been remotely interested in home decor, so her obsession with nutcrackers and angels and anything that lights up kind of freaks me out. They have a 15' faux tree that the kids helped grandpa decorate a couple of weeks back but my mom has amassed several others, so one won't be missed.

This is my idea of holiday decorating:

It's not easy to change my ways, especially when all of our family holiday decorations fit into a couple of hatboxes in the pantry. Luckily, I was asked to check out the holiday decor selection at Sears to scope out ideas. They're open extra early in the morning and late at night for your shopping convenience this time of year, so I went right after dropping the kids off at school. The trademark red Craftsman color always reminds me of Christmas and walking in through the tool department is like entering a winter wonderland.

I had to remind myself that I was looking for holiday decor, not gifts. Hard to do in a place littered with bright red temptation on every aisle. Like this saucy Kenmore front-loader set. Please, Santa?

I finally found the holiday nook, a corner of the store dedicated to seasonal finery. I thought this was the cutest backyard shed, ever, with a greeting line of favorite characters in Christmas gear.

A lot of people are into collectible ornaments and buy special ones every year. These special ones are Christopher Radko for Sears Platinum Shoppe and they're pretty fancy. I'm not sure Jasper's ready for that quite yet.

There are plenty of ornament options, obviously, but I didn't expect such well-stocked, color-coordinated collections. It makes having a decorator-inspired tree a cinch. I like the wintery blue and silver although it's a bit too elegant for our house.

This is probably more our speed:

After I plundered the ornament selection, I wandered over to housewares to see if there was any holiday gear there. Of course! Everything from welcoming doormats to hostess aprons. If you collect snowglobes or nutcrackers, here's your display!

I ended up buying way more stuff than I expected to. Here it is all spread out on our dining table:

I have to say my shopping trip was really pleasant, quick and convenient. Now I just have to work on getting everything put together. I am sure my little helpers will love that!

To see exactly how my shopping trip went, check out the play-by-play in my voluminous Google+ album.

If you're mall-phobic, you can avoid the crowds and shop from the comfort of your own home any time, day or night at sears.com/holidayshop. If you need extra-added help stoking your holiday spirit, the Sears Cheer Tree can help with hints and stories from their Holiday Cheer Squad and a Cheer Tree mosaic that you can add your own holiday decorating photos to and search for special offers and deals. You can even order fresh live Christmas trees, wreaths and greenery online!

For more info:

Free Holiday Printables from Thank You Cards

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:45:45 PST

My kids have their last day of school tomorrow, before the ~~impending doom~~ holiday vacation. Naturally, I haven't gotten any gifts in order, so I will throw together the awesome homemade presents that I've had in mind for weeks overnight. I am awesome, I tell you.

In a stroke of (super) dumb luck, I got an email today from Amy at Thank You Cards telling me about the Free Holiday Printables on their blog. You'd better believe I checked them out in a hot minute and they are really, really cute. Here's a peek:

I highly suggest you take a gander for any gift tagging or recipe card needs you might have. And while you're at it, take a look at the Thank You Cards shop. If you've been good, you'll probably want to take advantage of their special discount offer to order some lovely printed gratitude for all those fantastic gifts you're expecting!

It's Not Too Late For Holiday Greetings with Minted #HGG2011

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:59:32 PST

I have become a notoriously crummy correspondent via snail mail. This is especially embarrassing given what a fantastic pen pal I was through high school. I've always been lousy on the phone but I used to write voluminous letters, waxing poetic on punk rock, existential philosophers and, uh, how totally sucky my so-called life was. Oh, youth!

Anyway, my lameness is particularly opulent in the realm of Christmas cards. Envision me blushing as I tell you that I still have last year's cards sitting beside me right now. Whoops. They're really cool, too, so I have no excuse. This year's are going to be awesome, too, although I'm waffling over the tremendous selection of indie designs at Minted: which do you like the best?

Thankfully, you can design your custom photo holiday cards online through this Friday, December 16th and receive them by December 23rd, just in time for Christmas. Phew! I just need to get them physically mailed out this year…or should I just go ahead and make New Year's cards? Hmm…

Enjoy 15% off when you buy a combination of 3 gift items* with coupon code GIFTS15 through 12/16. This promotion may not be combined with any other offer. Limit one coupon code per order.

Order gifts by Friday December 16th for delivery by 12/23!

Extra special bonus: TODAY ONLY (12/12), receive free upgrade to 2-Day shipping on holiday card orders (excluding minibooks, sorry).

For more great deals:

Like Minted on Facebook
Follow Minted on Twitter
Refer a friend: Each person you invite to Minted will get $25 off his or her first order, and you'll get $25 Minted credit once their order ships. Details.

*1 gift = 1 Journal, 15 or more Gift Tags, 15 or more Personal Stationery Cards, 25 or more Business Cards, 25 Skinny Wrap Labels, etc.

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received a gift code to facilitate this review although I have been the happy recipient of quite a few cards from Minted in the past and have oohed and aahed over their gorgeousness– not just the cuteness of my friends' kids. All opinions are, as usual, strictly my own.