This summer Babeland has some great events and workshops lined up and due to the economy, I know I am not about to shell out money I may not have for luxuries, so I am only highlighting the free events below; check them out!

Lower East Side, New York

July

Cheap Date Night
Friday, July 17, 8:00pm

Bring your sweetie to Babeland for a night of frugal flirting! Enjoy a free mini-workshop about the G-Spot and P-Spot while snacking on complimentary treats. The first 25 couples receive a free gift bag with Babeland goodies and discounted coupons to use that night for other cheap date night activities on the L.E.S. – including discount tickets to Sunshine Cinema’s midnight movie.
Contact store for more information

August

Get Wet, Get Wild
Wednesday, August 5, 7:00pm

Escape the dog days of summer and come to Babeland to learn about the sexiest ways to beat the heat. Enjoy a free mini-workshop covering all of Babeland’s water-friendly toys and lubes and how to use them, while enjoying some refreshing treats. The first 25 attendees get to “fish” in Babeland’s pool of prizes!
Contact store for more information

SoHo, New York

August

Medical Professionals Night
Monday, August 3, 8:00pm

Do you have patients or clients who are going through menopause, are pre-orgasmic or have concerns with erection or ejaculation control? Many people come into Babeland looking for books, toys, or lube that their therapist, doctor, or counselor recommended–let us give you a first-hand tour. Complimentary refreshments will be served and all attending with be entered to win a gift bag of Babeland goodies! Please RSVP to aimee@babeland.com by August 1, 2009.
Contact store for more information

Brooklyn, New York

July

Sexy Moms Series: Sex During Pregnancy
Wednesday, July 29, 7:00pm

This month’s Sexy Moms event will feature Erica Lyon, a childbirth educator and founder/owner of Realbirth: Childbirth Education and Post-Partum Support, who will talk about “Sex During.” Perfect for expectant moms, new moms, their partners and anyone who would like to learn more! Complimentary refreshments. Co-sponsored by New Space for Women’s Health and Park Slope Parents.
Contact store for more information

August

Babeland Brunch: Butt Sex
Sunday, August 2, 12:00pm.

Coffee and muffins and sex toys, oh my! Indulge both your appetite and your sexual curiosity at our monthly Babeland Brunch. Meet the Babeland staff, learn more about our products and enjoy complimentary caffeine and baked goods from Blue Sky Bakery. Enjoy this month’s free mini-workshop–Anal Sex 101.
Contact store for more information

Get Wet, Get Wild
Thursday, August 13, 7:00pm

Escape the dog days of summer and come to Babeland to learn about the sexiest ways to beat the heat. Enjoy a free mini-workshop covering all of Babeland’s water-friendly toys and lubes and how to use them, while enjoying some refreshing treats. The first 25 attendees will each receive the chance to “fish” in Babeland’s pool of prizes.
Contact store for more information

Sexy Moms Series: Sex and the New Parent
Wednesday, August 26, 7:00pm

new parents can discover how to put the zing back into their sex lives, with tips and advice from guest speaker (TBD). This topic is ideal for new moms, moms-to-be, and parents of small children who are wondering why their sex lives took a detour once the baby arrived! Complimentary refreshments. The Sexy Moms Series is jointly sponsored by New Space for Women’s Health.
Register now

Seattle, Washington

July

Babeland Brunch Series: Bottoms Up
Sunday, July 5, 11:00am

All butts like stimulation, so whether you want to unlock the secrets of prostate pleasure, or simply explore backdoor eroticism, Babeland’s Sex Educators tell you everything you need to get started. We will demystify common myths, address cleanliness concerns and suggest the best toys for beginners.
Contact store for more information

Blitz, Capitol Hill Arts Walk Featuring Crystal Barbre
Thursday, July 9, 5:00pm

Crystal Barbre seeks to express our primal connection to nature and how it affects our spirit, our behavior, and our sexuality. Barbre juxtaposes references from pornography and the animal kingdom to explore the questions of what it means to be a human animal in a civilized world. Her paintings are a commentary on the role of women in society as sexual fantasies while also celebrating the powerful force of female sexuality.
Contact store for more information

Sex Toys for Couples
Sunday, July 19, 7:00pm

Ignite your sex play with some of the new sex toys designed especially for couples. Discover hands-free stimulation explore spontaneity with remote vibrators, or take phone sex to new heights. Butt toys, strap-ons, and sensual treats will also be covered in this toy tour led by Babeland Sex Educators.
Contact store for more information

August

Kinky Toys
Wednesday, August 19, 7:00pm

Spank! Tickle! Tease! Delight! Learn the basics of kinky toys, from restraints to clamps to floggers. Sensation toys are easy to incorporate into your sex life and can add a lot of fun, plus a higher level of trust and understanding between you and a partner.
Contact store for more information

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• Get Some (More) from Babeland

Senator Charles Schumer called on the Federal Reserve to immediately limit rate increases on existing credit card balances. Schumer said credit card companies are rushing to raise rates and fees ahead of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act that will take effect in February 2010 and will limit rate increases and fees.

“This is what many of us feared about a law that didn’t take effect right away,” Schumer said. “Issuers are using the delay in the effective date to wring more dollars out of their customers. It is against the spirit of the law and it is just plain wrong.”

Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com and author of The Credit Card Guidebook, said it is doubtful that the Fed will act on Schumer’s request and that we have seen credit card issuers making substantial changes in rates and fees throughout this year, not just since the bill was signed into law. “The credit card reforms that just passed were not a surprise. Issuers have known some type of changes were coming, so they have been making numerous moves since the start of 2009 to make up for their expected shortfall in revenue. We are starting to see these changes happen even more quickly now. Issuers are going to increase rates and fees while they can. They are not philanthropic organizations; they are out to make as much profit as possible. We doubt the Fed will get involved and stop any of this, but we applaud Senator Schumer for at least calling them out to do something about it.”

In May, LowCards.com studied the legislation and made the following predictions about how issuers would respond to the new regulations to make up shortfall in their revenue:

• Expect more increases in credit card interest rates. When the new regulations take effect, issuers cannot raise rates on a new customer for one year. So these ongoing interest rates will likely be increased before February. But consumers are also likely to see interest increases in their existing accounts during this period.

“Issuers do not have any of these restrictions in place until February so we think they will continue to implement the policies that are currently in place. Expect issuers to quickly increase your APR if you do anything to show that you are a greater credit risk,” said Hardekopf. “They still have the ability to raise your interest rates at any time for any reason. If you miss a payment, are late on a payment, exceed your credit limit or even use too much of your credit limit, you could see an increase in your interest rate the very next billing period. Consumers need to get their credit card bills in early, pay more than the minimum amount and not use more than one-third of their credit limit.”

• A cutback in rewards and cash rebates. That has already been taking place since the start of 2009 and will likely continue through the year. Pay attention to your rewards by looking at the terms and conditions of your card. Issuers can make subtle changes in the reward program that are hard to spot, like changing a tier needed to reach a certain payout or requiring purchases over a longer period. Maximize the points you have and use them sooner rather than later because these could also be reduced. American Express notified cardholders that it is reducing its rewards for the Blue Cash card on spending over $6500 from 1.5% to 1.25%. (Note: see a number of changes made by credit card issuers in 2009 at http://www.lowcards.com/industry/recent-credit-card-changes.asp)

• More cards with annual fees. “Approximately 20% of the credit cards have an annual fee at this time, but we expect that number to go up in the next year,” says Hardekopf.

• An increase in fees. While the regulations address the over-the-limit fees assessed on credit cards, they do not put any restrictions on fees for balance transfer, cash advance or late payments. This is already taking place as Bank of America and Discover increased balance transfer fees from 3% to 4% on June 1. Yesterday, JPMorgan Chase & Co. announced an increase of the minimum payment on balances from 2 percent to 5 percent for some customers. It also plans to raise the balance transfer fees to 5 percent in August.

- – - – - – - – - -

LowCards.com simplifies the confusion of shopping for credit cards. It is a free, independent website that helps consumers easily compare credit cards in a variety of categories such as lowest rates, rewards, rebates, balance transfers and lowest introductory rates. It also gives an unbiased ranking and review for each card. The LowCards.com Complete Credit Card Index is the most objective and comprehensive resource on the Internet which allows consumers to compare rates for all 1260 credit cards offered in this country. Created by Hampton & Associates, the company has been analyzing the credit card industry and supplying objective websites on various consumer expenses for eight years.

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Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick have shared the first photo of their twin daughters.

Twin baby girls, Marion Loretta Elwell Broderick and Tabitha Hodge Broderick were born Monday, June 22nd at an Ohio hospital to a surrogate mother.

The photo above was taken last Monday in New York and shows a happy, new family of five with Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick each holding a twin and their six year old son, James Wilkie Broderick gazing down at the new arrivals.

We wish the family absolutely nothing but the best. I always thought it was ironic how Sarah Jessica Parker, famously known as the fabulous Carrie Bradshaw on Sex And The City, had a son. Now she has the daughters to pass down all that love of fashion and other super girly stuff we get giddy over.

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Featured Products

FishBites Swimmies: Spending time in the water is one of the most fun and exciting parts of summer. FishBites Swimmies by Swimways is a great solution to give the little ones the extra security they need in the pool, in a fun and exciting way.

Delsey Helium Fusion Carryon: If you are hitting the road or flying the skies this summer for your family vacation, the Delsey Helium Fusion carry-on offers a lightweight solution for packing your travel essentials.

Do Something Daily Calendar: Tired of hearing the kids say they have nothing to do? The Do Something Daily Calendar offers fun and exciting suggestions for things to do on each and every day of the year. Make memories with your family, every day!

Perlabella Pearls: Want to combat some of the wrinkles caused by sun damage? Perlabella’s Retinol solution helps to fight the signs of aging the can be caused by excessive sun exposure and other factors.

More Summer Fun

• iTurtle
• Playdoh Spaghetti Factory
• Submergency
• Nerf NFL Pro Grip Football
• Super Soaker 50
• Boochie Game
• Good for the Kids
• Talking to Toddlers
• Two Belles and a Bead Engraved Necklace
• Cardstore
• Jumeau Handbags
• Staphaseptic

Member Reviews/Giveaways

• Bonggamom – $50 Tiny Prints Gift Certificate
• IceFairy’s Treasure Chest – KiNeSYS, Purex 3-in-1, and more
• Eccentric, Eclectic Woman – Bra Barrette, Skipping Hippos
• Riding With No Hands – 20 Piece Rubbermaid Set
• Consumer Queen – FurBuster
• Plus Size Mommy Giant Hershey Bar, Zensoy, and more
• Mommy Not Guilty – Kids Banz Sunglasses
• Robyn’s Online World – Kodak Digital Frame
• Simply Being Mommy – EA Sports Active
• Lattes and Life – Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs and Parent’s Choice formula
• Motherhood Moment – Summer Fun
• A Simple Kinda Life – Summer Soiree of Giveaways
• From Cribs to Car Keys – EcoStore $25 gift certificate and more
• Miscellaneous Finds 4 U – Tiny Prints and more

All Momfluence guide reviews are product-provided, featured positions were purchased by vendors. Member reviews and giveaways are not associated with Momfluence.

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You will need:

• 1 1/2 quarts strawberries, sliced (6 cups)
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 2/3 cups Original Bisquick mix
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup chopped dried cherries
• 6 tbs granulated sugar
• 6 tbs butter or margarine, melted
• 2 cups blueberries
• 3/4 cup whipping (heavy) cream
• 2 tbs granulated or powdered sugar

1. Mix strawberries and 1 1/2 cups sugar. Let stand 1 hour.

2. Heat oven to 425F. Mix Bisquick mix, milk, cherries, 6 tbs sugar and the butter until soft dough forms.

3. Gently smooth dough into ball on surface sprinkled lightly with Bisquick mix. Knead 10 times. Roll dough 1/2 inch thick. Cut with floured 3-inch star-shaped or round cutter. Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.

4. Stir blueberries into strawberries. Beat whipping cream and 2 tbs sugar in chilled medium bowl or electric mixer on high speed until stiff. Split shortcakes in half. Fill and top with berries and whipped cream.

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Just this morning, more than two dozen TV satellite trucks were lined up in a narrow, two-lane road leading to Neverland Ranch in hopes of reserving space for the public viewing. Planning is currently underway for a 30-car motorcade carrying Jackson’s remains to leave Los Angeles at 10 a.m. Thursday morning to arrive in Santa Barbara County.

As for Michael Jackson’s final resting place, the family has given no indication on where that will be, but they have already ruled out Neverland Ranch. Many people have been asking about the future of Neverland Ranch, and Tom Barrack Jr. gained control of the ranch through his company, has said that the property’s future will be discussed at a later date and that the focus currently is to ensure that grieving fans who gather there are treated properly.

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Aside from my idea of offering free WordPress themes, I found groups where you post your FaceBook Network Blogs url, groups where you post your Twitter profile and get followed by other people, and groups where you can get your posts voted up on social media sites (omg more of those please!). Even the idea of when people post contests and giveaways, they list following them in some way or another as a way to enter. We’ve all seen those, I’m sure. Now, that’s all well and good, but at the end of the day, unless your a high profile blogger with a well set group of roadies, you got nothing really. Just a lot of clutter in your profiles.

You know what I noticed? And I don’t know if this has happened to others. I’ve run two giveaways on this blog, one of them being unsuccessful which sucks cause it was awesome. People subscribed, followed, commented as they were told to do to enter. But when the deal was done and the giveaway was over, I started getting emails saying this person unsubscribed from my feed and/or that person unfollowed me on Twitter. I don’t think I’m the only one this is happening to, but what was the point in asking them to do so if they were gonna undo it later? It kind of defeats the purpose and it makes my site (and me) sad that people don’t think I’m worth keeping up with. They’re probably right, but still!!

So, in conclusion, unless your already popular and have been around for a while and are known, I don’t think it’s worth trying to get up to your eyeballs into all of this social business. Granted, it takes time to build readership, but personally, I don’t think it’s working out for myself (being the comment whore I am) and a lot of other people I’ve seen having the same issues. I’m not saying I’m giving up though. ‘Cause I’m not! I shall own the internet one day, you watch. And I’ll be the super networker everyone wishes they were. Mwahahaha!!

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Try this delicious Red, White, and Blueberry Salad this year!

You will need:

• 1 container (6 oz) Yoplait Original 99% Fat Free key lime pie yogurt
• 4 teaspoons honey
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 jicama, peeled, cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 1 bag (10 oz) chopped or hearts of romaine lettuce (6 cups)
• 2 1/2 cups cubes (3/4 inch) seedless watermelon
• 1 cup fresh blueberries

1. In a small bowl, mix yogurt, honey, and salt; set aside. Cut jicama slices into star shapes using a small (1-inch) star-shaped canape cutter.

2. In large bowl, toss remaining ingredients. Pour dressing over salad mixture; toss until well coated. Sprinkle jicama stars over top. Serve immediately.

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• Receive an Exciting Education You Can Use at Sheffield

All you have to do is write an article related to health, fitness, or nutrition and submit it to Health Fitness How To. All article submissions will be judged on content quality, the average number of daily visitors your article attracts, an if you have linked back to Health Fitness How To on your own website or blog. Make sure to review the article submission terms before submitting your article to the contest, otherwise it may be rejected and that wouldn’t be good, especially since you’ve taken all that time to write a high-quality, expert article and all.

So, what kind of articles are Health Fitness How To looking for? According to them, they like “How To” articles the most (please note the name of their website!), since they tend to attract more readers. Your article can be in whatever format you like, but if you’re having trouble coming up with a topic, a “Tips” or “How To” article is a good place to start. As with any article you write, try to make your article as specific and focused as possible. Peopel don’t usually seatch for general health tips; people are focused and zero in on the information they want to know about. If you’re out of ideas for health, fitness, or nutrition articles, that’s okay! Just check out the Health Fitness How To article directory and review their extensive list of categories. I’m sure you’ll be able to come up with something that will wow the webmasters!

Because your chances of winning the contest are judged on how many visitors you bring to your particular article daily, here are some great article promotion tips. To promote your article, you should definitely submit your article to social networking and media sites that a great deal of people utilize on a daily basis: StumbleUpon, Twitter, Digg, Reddit, Propeller, Mixx, etc.

You are allowed to submit more than one article; each article is considered a single entry for the contest!

This contest ends on Friday, July 10, 2009 and a winner will be announced on Monday, July 20th, 2009; they will also be contacted directly to arrange payment.

Have fun all you health writers and good luck!

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• Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters Make a Healthy Snack for the Whole Family

Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters have been in high demand in my house ever since I was sent a package of the new product in each flavor from My Blog Spark. The day I received the product, my step kids came over to visit and by the end of that night, all four packages were gone and ever since then, I have been asked by my partner several times when we were going to the store to get more of them. As soon as the brightly-colored packages were discovered on the kitchen counter, one child took the Nut Lovers, the other took the Roasted Cashew, my partner devoured the Honey Roasted Peanut, and I absolutely loved the Roasted Almond. It worked out perfectly, really, because after everyone tried each of the flavors, everyone settled on their own package and there was no fighting over the fact that someone was eating out of someone else’s package because we all, very oddly, had a different favorite flavor; except for my partner, who loved all of them and ended up eating the entire bag of Honey Roasted Peanut, as well as my Roasted Almond, so to say the least, they did not last in my house for more than a few hours.

I am so happy to have had the opportunity to try the new Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters because while it goes without saying, I absolutely love finding foods that everyone will enjoy snacking on; but the reason why I love having these for a snack food is because I can feel good about eating it. There’s no guilt, there’s no worry, and there’s no regret. I am all too familiar with snacking on very unhealthy snack foods and ending up feeling lethargic and bloated. I’m a person who cannot eat a lot at one time, so I do tend to snack quite a lot throughout the day and these are an ideal food to have around the house for just that reason.

But Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters are not merely snack foods; they can also be eaten with yogurt in the morning (tip: Nature Valley also makes yogurt!), on their own while you’re heading out the door to go to drop the kids off at school and/or go to work, and they can also be packed in school lunches. Whenever you eat them, you’re going to feel great about having a nutritious snack that makes you feel energized and good about the foods you’re eating.

Nature Valley currently has a coupon you can download for $1 off their Granola Nut Clusters, so you can also feel great about the price you’re paying!

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From the first moment I opened up the 1lb bag of banana nut cream coffee from San Marco Coffee, I was pretty amazed at the quality of their product. Even before I opened the bag, I could smell the sweet scent of bananas and the coffee grounds felt a lot softer than the grounds of coffee I usually drink. As soon as the coffee begins brewing, I immediately smelled bananas and through its process, the scent got stronger and I could smell it in my living room. It is a scent I look forward to every morning when I wake up–as well as in the afternoon; what can I say, I drink a lot of coffee. In fact, if there was a way to make a scratch-and-sniff embeddable sticker or something for this article, the scent of San Marco Coffee’s banana nut cream coffee would be the first scent I would share with you all.

The taste of this banana nut cream coffee, however, is even better than the smell; if you can believe it. My partner, who usually cannot stand to drink more than a very small cup of coffee because he hates the taste of coffee and would very much prefer it to taste like donuts instead, loved San Marco’s Coffee and even asked me when we were going to order more; especially when I mentioned that they have Snicker flavored coffee.

San Marco Coffee also has decaffeinated coffee for those of you who can’t handle caffeine and they also have international coffees, espresso, as well as international teas! I cannot recommend San Marco Coffee enough; I will definitely be getting my flavored coffees through them because they have the most extensive supply I have ever come across! And if you’re interested in coffee or tea, also be sure to follow San Marco Coffee on Twitter and hear about new additions to their stock and new flavored coffees to try out!

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I found this recipe in the latest Betty Crocker Cookies, Bars & Cakes issue that I posted about earlier today. Finally, an easy tiramisu you can make at home and eat as much of as you want!

For CAKE You Will Need::

• 1 box white cake mix
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup brandy (in substitution of brandy, use brandy extract plus 1/4 cup water)
• 3 egg whites

For ESPRESSO SYRUP You Will Need:

• 4 tbs instant espresso coffee granules
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 2 tbs corn syrup

For TOPPING You Will Need:

• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups whipping cream
• 1 tbs unsweetened baking cocoa (optional)

1. Heat oven to 320F (325F for dark or nonstick pan.) Grease bottom only of 13×9-inch pan with shortening or cooking spray. In large bowl, beat cake mix, 1 cup water, the oil, brandy, and egg whites with electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan.

2. Bake 26 to 31 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes.

3. In small bowl, stir espresso granules and 1/2 cup boiling water until mixed. Stir in corn syrup. With long-tined fork, pierce tip of cake every 1/2 inch. Brush top of cake with espresso syrup. Cool completely for about 1 hour.

4. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar with electric mixer on low speed until mixed. Beat on high speed until smooth. Gradually beat in whipping cream, beating on high speed about 2 minutes or until stuff peaks form. Spread cream mixture over top of cake; sprinkle with cocoa. Store in refrigerator.

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The Wearable Towel allows me to go about my morning (or afternoon since I work from home and have the freedom to not have to get ready to start my day until the afternoon) completely hassle-free. I don’t have to fight with a towel or walk around the house holding it up so it doesn’t fly open or fall off. I will often get out of the shower, put a towel around myself, and come downstairs to get a mug of coffee to enjoy while getting myself ready for the day, so the last thing I want is my towel malfunctioning while I’m walking in front of the window. I also cannot tell you the amount of times I have had the UPS delivery person at my door while trying to get clothes on. With the Wearable Towel, you can just wrap it around yourself and hurry to the door to get your package before the delivery person writes one of those notes I always hate getting telling you they will try again tomorrow.

But the Wearable Towel isn’t just for after morning showers; it can also be brought with you and your family on vacation this summer to the beach or to the neighborhood public pool. It is made of 100% cotton and is very absorbent so you can wrap one around your child to get dry after being in a pool or the ocean and they are still free to run around and keep having a great time! And don’t worry about losing the fasteners to get the Wearable Towel to fasten around your body because there aren’t any. The Wearable Towel has arm openings allowing you to simply slip your arms into the openings and you’re completely covered and free to go about your day.

The Wearable Towel is not sold in stores, but it is sold online. Just go to the Wearable Towel’s website to order or call 1-866-618-6444.

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What’s a Nxtbook? Super awesome technological magic that allows magazines to be seen as they were intended to be seen in print, just on your computer screen! Cool, right?

Betty Crocker’s entire Cookies, Bars and Cakes issue is out in Nxtbook. It is full of the most requested recipes (over 70 in all,) and within just a few minutes of browsing this issue of Betty Crocker, your mouth will be watering for these desserts! I already have over 10 picked out that I need to pick up the ingredients for so I can (attempt to) bake.

Check out Betty Crocker’s Cookies, Bars and Cakes issue!

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BluFrog is giving everyone a chance to win 1 of 5 prizes and three different ways to enter the contest. So what’s up for grabs?

BluGamer: The ultimate gaming package which includes an Xbox 360 Elite gaming system with a Rock Band 2 bundle.

Happy Blu-Year: A New Years Eve trip to New York with a friend or loved one.

Blullapalooza: A trip to Lolapalloza, the world’s most famous music festival in Grant Park, Chicago.

BluStreak: A Richard Petty racing experience that gives you the chance to experience stock car racing first hand, side-by-side action, drafting, passing, and everything that goes into stock car racing with a friend or loved one.

XtremeBLU: A trip to the 14th Winter X Games from ESPN in Aspen.

Did you get all happy and excited when you heard the prizes? Do you want to win? Well, here’s how:

Leave a blog comment over at It’s a Blu World and name what experience you absolutely, positively need to win and why!

Write a blog post on your own blog about the It’s a Blu World contest and which experience you would choose if you won.

Spread the word about this contest on Twitter! Tell your friends why you entered to win and which experience you would choose if you did win. Be sure to include #bluworld and http://bit.ly/UiiJy in your Tweet!

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An autopsy is scheduled Friday, he said. Results are expected Friday afternoon, according to Lt. Fred Corral of the Los Angeles coroner’s office, who also said Jackson was unresponsive when he arrived at the hospital.

Law enforcement officials stressed that there is no evidence of criminal wrongdoing, but they would conduct interviews with family members and friends, opening an investigation into Jackson’s death. At the medical center, every entrance to the emergency room was blocked by security guards; even staff members were not permitted to enter the area where Jackson was. People gathered in the waiting area of the medical center, some of the crying, and vigils have been conducted throughout the day in honor of Michael Jackson. Outside of Jackson’s home, police arrived on motorcycles and the road in front of the home was closed in an attempt to hold traffic; but that did not stop several people from gathering outside of the home.

Michael’s former wife, Lisa Marie Presley, said that she was “shocked and saddened” [by the news of Jackson's death] “My heart goes out to his children and his family.”

Michael Jackson has had a greatly successful career that many people around the entire world have benefited from and idolized Jackson for. Known as the “King of Pop,” Jackson has many No. 1 hits and “Thriller” is the best-selling album of all time. But while he has undoubtedly had more success in his life than imaginable, he also had legal troubles later in his life.

Prosecutors charged Michael Jackson with four counts of lewd conduct with a child younger than 14; one count of attempted lewd conduct; four counts of administering alcohol to facilitate child molestation; and one count of conspiracy to commit child abduction, false imprisonment or extortion. He was acquitted of these charges after a well-publicized trial in Santa Maria, California, in March 2006.

Michael Jackson will surely be missed all around the world.

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While I have had pretty uncomfortable experiences with lube, that was all before I tried Sliquid Organics Silk lube. Admittedly, this is the first Sliquid product I have used, but I am super impresses; I absolutely love it.

Sliquid Organics Silk is water-based and also contains 12% hypoallergenic silicone which makes this lubricant creamy in texture, rather than what I call “gloopy,” as you have most likely noticed with almost all other brands of lubricant on the market. I have definitely put this lube to this test, using it for both vaginal and anal intercourse, as well as for masturbation and the first thing I noticed with it is that I never had to reapply; I applied it once and that was it, it stayed wet and comfortable for the entire duration. This made me ecstatic because like I said before, when using lube of any other brand I was reapplying several times.

In addition to its great lasting power, Sliquid Organics Silk is a great choice for delicate, sensitive issues. As a woman who frequently gets urinary tract infections for pretty much any reason, the morning after using this lube the first thing I thought was “Here’s hoping my vagina isn’t mad at me!” and luckily, it wasn’t. It also includes organic extracts like aloe vera, which is very soothing to the skin, vitamin E, and also invigorating green tea and hibiscus. And while it’s completely organic and body-friendly, it is also very Earth-friendly because once you get through the bottle, it is 100% recyclable!

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Credit card default rates are now above 10% for several major issuers. This means these banks don’t expect to be paid back on over 10% of their credit card loans. To cut their losses, issuers now appear to be more open to settling or negotiating a payment plan for your credit card debt.

“While settlement and payment plans may relieve a bit of the pain for issuers and cardholders, this is not an ideal solution. It is just a way out to avoid total loss. For cardholders, it means their financial situation is so difficult that they can’t pay anything on their loans. They probably already have a poor credit score and settling their debt could make it worse, but it does remove some of the weight from the burden of the debt. For issuers, they are losing money on loans, but at least it isn’t a total loss,” says Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com and author of The Credit Card Guidebook. “It is important for cardholders in this situation to be proactive and try to work out a solution. Their actions could help them avoid bigger financial problems.”

Bank of America, the nation’s largest bank, recently reported that its default rate jumped to 12.5% in May, up from 10.5% the month before. American Express said its default rate rose to 10.4% from 9.9%. Defaults will continue to climb as unemployment continues to rise and the financial crisis continues. This increase in defaults means billions of dollars per year in losses for banks.

Growth in delinquencies is a major problem for credit card issuers. They must write down a balance to zero once a person has been delinquent for six months. They will continue to try to collect the debt through a collection agency, but they have to show the loss on their books.

If you are having financial difficulties and can’t make your credit card payments, now is the time to contact your issuer, explain your situation and work out a payment plan. Issuers are not under stress and, in some cases, they may be more willing to work with cardholders to create a payment plan.

Where should consumers start?

Before you jump to debt settlement, start with your interest rates and fees. If you can make some monthly payment, ask your issuer to lower your rate and waive your fees. In many cases, a lower rate and reducing the interest payment will make a big difference in how much of your debt you can pay off.

If you are in danger of missing a payment, contact your creditors as soon as you realize you have a problem. The sooner you contact them, the more willing they may be to work with you.

If the first person you speak with can’t help lower your rate or make adjustments to your account, ask to speak with a supervisor. Persistence may be necessary to find the person who can or will help you. Explain that you are in debt, the steps you are taking to repay it, and what you can pay today. The adjustments could result in reducing the amount outstanding or working out a payment plan that could work for both sides. Document all conversations, including whom you spoke with, and the date, time, and the results.

If you are already in default and unsure of what to do as a first step, don’t ignore the problem and hope it goes away. A good place to start is “Help With My Credit,” a service started by financial institutions and credit card issuers to educate and assist cardholders who are struggling to make their credit card payments. “Help With My Credit” provides a toll-free telephone number (1-866-941-1030) for consumers to call with credit card and debt issues. Operators will provide information about contacting credit card issuers and accredited credit counseling agencies. Consumers can also get help and information through a website, HelpWithMyCredit.org.

If you are in danger of default and close to or over 90 days past due on your account with no hope of paying it off, you can also talk directly with your credit card issuer about debt settlement. They may be able to help you work out a settlement where the account is closed and you pay a portion of the amount that is due.

Keep in mind that there are negatives to arranging a settlement for debt. Closing an account due to settlement is bad for your credit score and will affect your score for several years. If the forgiven debt is more than $600, you must also pay income taxes on the amount that is forgiven by filing a Form 1099-C.

Do not respond to ads from debt settlement companies that promise to cut your debt in half. They charge high fees, much of it due up front, for services that you can sometimes do yourself with about the same success. In some cases, they can even make the situation worse.

A non-profit accredited counseling agency can help you get lower interest rates and develop a debt management plan. The National Foundation of Credit Counselors is a good place to start. Their Debt Management Plan is a systematic way to pay down your outstanding debt through monthly deposits to your credit counseling agency, which will then distribute the full amount of these funds to your creditors. It takes approximately 36-60 months to repay debts through a Debt Management Plan and when you are through, they will help you re-establish your credit. Fees include a $25 counseling fee and a $10-$25 monthly fee for the Debt Management Plan.

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LowCards.com simplifies the confusion of shopping for credit cards. It is a free, independent website that helps consumers easily compare credit cards in a variety of categories such as lowest rates, rewards, rebates, balance transfers and lowest introductory rates. It also gives an unbiased ranking and review for each card. The LowCards.com Complete Credit Card Index is the most objective and comprehensive resource on the Internet which allows consumers to compare rates for all 1260 credit cards offered in this country. Created by Hampton & Associates, the company has been analyzing the credit card industry and supplying objective websites on various consumer expenses for eight years.

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Thanks to BzzAgent, I had the opportunity to try a revolutionary new disposable razor from BIC. The BIC Soleil Bella disposable razor has 4 blades ensuring the closest shave you have ever had with a disposable razor, but they are also flexible and reside on a pivoting head, making it easy to glide over the curves and arches of your body.

I have been using this razor for a few weeks now and it is hands down, the best razor I have ever used. Typically with disposable razors, you use them three or maybe four times and they’re ready to go in the trash, but the BIC Soleil Bella disposable razor rinses off so easily that hair is not getting stuck inside of it and I am still using the same razor that I started with. It has easily doubled the life of any other blade I’ve used.

Because I know as well as any other woman out there, sometimes you’re in the shower, in a rush to get out the door and realize that your legs are incredibly hairy because you have not shaved them in over a week. So you run the razor up your legs real quick hurrying to get out of the shower so you can leave and start your day and of course, you end up with a cut halfway up the back of your leg from your cheap, disposable razor with no protection from slices a half inch deep up your leg. With the BIC Soleil Bella, I have yet to get cut from shaving at all, which is made possible by the Soothing Moisture Strip enriched with coconut milk, which provides superior comfort and glide!

The BIC Soleil Bella razor comes in three different exotic colors and also has an easy-to-hold handle with a comfortable rubber grip for extra control, which makes shaving so much easier! The Soleil Bella razor is available now at most food, drug, and mass retailers like CVS, Wal-Mart, and Target, with a suggested price around $6.00 for a 3-pack of exotic razors. However, thanks to BzzAgent, I have the opportunity to share the BIC Soleil Bella love and give away 5 coupons for $3 off!

Win a Coupon for $3 off BIC Soleil Bella Disposable Razors

To win a coupon for half off a 3-pack of BIC Soleil Bella exotic razors, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post about why you need to experience the BIC Soleil Bella razor!

For extra entries you can do any or all of the following:

• Tweet this giveaway (and don’t forget to mention @WomanTribune) Example:
  

  @WomanTribune is giving away a coupon for $3 off BIC Soleil Bella disposable razors: http://twurl.nl/wee2yw

  Leave a comment on this post with the URL of your update! Plus, you can Tweet this giveaway daily up until July 1, 2009 at 12am EST just leave a comment on this post for each additional Tweet.

• Blog about this giveaway and leave your blog URL so we can check it out and count your entry.
• Vote for us on MomFaves and leave your MomFaves username in the comments so we can count your entry.

This contest is open to U.S. residents only and ends on July 1, 2009 at 12am EST. 5 winners will be announced the afternoon of July 1, 2009.

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The cast for the remake didn’t bring any big surprise either, besides perhaps the casting of Alice, who will be played by 19 year old unknown Mia Wasikowska from Australia. The Mad Hatter will be played by Johnny Depp, which I saw coming years ago, the Red Queen will be played by Helena Bonham Carter, again which I saw coming years ago. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter alike have been targeted by Tim Burton movie after movie and because of this, they have both become the standard “creepy” actors to fill any roll that calls for something of the macabre. Lastly, we officially know that Anne Hathaway will play the White Queen.

Take a first look at the new Alice in Wonderland characters:

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Finding the perfect eye gel is a difficult task; it takes a lot of time and most of the time, you wind up disappointed because of yet another failed product. Luckily, there’s an Eye Gel Buyers’ Guide that rates countless eye gel products on the market on a scale from 1 to 100, along with the price of the eye gel, and best of all, any coupon codes that can be used to get the product at a discount!

According to the Eye Gel Buyers’ Guide, the best eye gel is Dermajuv Eye Revolution Gel. With a rating of 99/100, it is said to treat the entire eye area, instead of merely focusing on one facet of the area. Dermajuv is said to target and treat wrinkles, dark circles, and puffy bags; whatever eye symptoms you have Dermajuv treats every symptom. They also value their clients like no other company on the market. If you want a refund for any reason, they give it to you and make sure that you are satisfied with your experience with them, which is something I was really impressed to hear!

All women have problematic areas around their eyes that they wish they could find a product to effectively treat and we have also all been disappointed by products we took at face value and expected to work just as they had advertised. I know I have certainly been not just disappointed, but enraged after using products and seeing absolutely no change in my dark circle situation. We need to know what we’re getting when we spend money on a product and thanks to the Eye Gel Buyers’ Guide, we get a rating of the product and a complete breakdown of the product, making shopping for eye gel a whole lot easier!

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Everyone has, at one point or another, either seen or been in a photo booth and the photos taken in a photo booth are eccentric and photos you’ve undoubtedly kept years after having them taken. Portland Photo Booth Rentals give you the option of renting your very own photo booth for that special occasion in your life. Photo booths are exciting and something that no one at your event will expect, but will most definitely have a blast using! Photo booths are gaining in popularity and because people are so used to seeing photo booths at malls and amusement parks, they will remember them from these places, and head right on over to your rented photo booth to have their photos taken. Even better, photo booths allow those guests and friends that would otherwise become shy in front of a camera to use a photo booth where the curtain is drawn and they are alone and free to be themselves and take a photo of themselves that reflects who they are and what you love about them.

By reading more about Portland Photobooth Services you will find all the reasons you need why it is so important for you to rent a photobooth for your next special occasion and truly reflect what a great time your guests and loved ones had!

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Parents are very weary of medication in most cases, and for good reason. Most medications contain harsh chemicals drowsiness, and those same chemicals that are in medications find themselves in our waterways quite frequently, which end up in our drinking water supply which is never good! Thinking about being medicated just by drinking a cup of water from your tap is pretty unsettling. Luckily, there are some great herbal remedies on the market for children, thus eliminating those harsh chemicals from our water supply and also leave your child feeling great, helping them get over their colds faster without sleeping the days away and becoming nocturnal!

The FDA actually recommends against treating children under four with drugstore cough and cold medicines, warning of potentially severe side effects and a 2007 pediatric study found that kids slept better and coughed less after a dose of honey than after a dose of honey-flavored cough suppressant; just keep in mind that children under one year old should not eat honey because of botulism risk. So what better reasons are there to look into herbal remedies!?

Some children’s herbal remedies and medications to look into are Herbs for Kids Throat Spray, it is certified organic, peppermint-flavored spray with echinacea and thyme, which thins mucus. It is recommended for kids age one and up. Traditional Medicinals Just for Kids Organic Cold Care is a tea with elderflower, which treats congestion and helps break fevers. It is recommended for kids two and up. Hyland’s Homeopathic Complete Flu Care 4 Kids is an immune-boosting, dissolving tablet that relieves fever, aches, cough, and congestion. It is recommended for kids two and up.

If you’re looking for a DIY at home herbal remedy so you know exactly what you’re giving to your kids, just mix 1 cup of honey with 1/2 cup of thyme and heat on the stove for 15 minutes. Serve 1 tsp warm (not hot!) three times a day. This is recommended only for kids two and up.

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That is why HomeAway, the world’s leading vacation rentals marketplace, has started a movement called Save Our Summer Vacation to help literally save summer vacations by petitioning Congress to proclaim August 7th as “National Vacation Day.” In addition to working toward National Vacation Day, HomeAway is also searching for the person who is most deserving of a week-long summer vacation.

If you know that you and your family are most deserving of a week-long summer vacation and drool at the mere thought of taking a break from stress, having enough space to truly relax, recharging and reconnecting with your family and friends, and of course, traveling in style without breaking your budget, all you have to do is submit a short text, video, or photo entry explaining why you deserve to have your vacation saved by HomeAway!

I find myself thinking about what my dream vacation would be quite a bit, particularly because it has been the same dream vacation since I was in the sixth grade. Since that time, I have been dreaming of going to Italy. I have also been fascinated and intrigued about Naples, Italy and more specifically, about Mt. Vesuvius. It isn’t that I just have a fascination with volcanos, but Mt. Vesuvius has always held a special place in my heart and since the sixth grade, I have read anything and everything I could get my hands on about it, poured over documentaries of Pompeii and have looked up prices on flight and hotel arrangements on several different occasions, but of course, finances have not allowed me to make those arrangements, so hands down, my dream $10,000 summer vacation would most definitely be to visit Italy and my beloved Mt. Vesuvius; and since HomeAway Vacation Rentals has savings tips and rentals at the some of the best prices I’ve seen, they are most definitely the best people to run a movement and to give a lucky person the vacation of their dreams!

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Credit card fraud is widespread. Cards being stolen and used to purchase gas. Restaurant workers stealing credit card information to use for personal purchases. Phony bank emails urgently requiring you to send account information. PIN and account information skimmed at ATMs.

Daily news stories show that credit card fraud can occur in a variety of ways and can happen to anyone. The more you know about it, the better you can protect yourself.

Credit card fraud is theft that occurs anytime a credit card or a card’s information is stolen and used as a fraudulent means of payment in a transaction. It can happen without the cardholder ever realizing that the card information has been stolen. When a card is lost or stolen, it remains active and open until the cardholder notifies the issuer that the card has been lost or stolen. The thief can use the card until it has been reported and canceled.

According to the FTC, credit card fraud costs cardholders and issuers billions of dollars each year.

“While most issuers have technology to help identify fraudulent activity, it is the cardholder’s responsibility to frequently monitor the account for fraudulent charges. Also, review your credit reports to look for suspicious activity or accounts that were opened by someone else in your name,” says Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com and author of The Credit Card Guidebook.

Credit card fraud has advanced beyond stealing and using real credit cards. Here are two common practices that are used to steal your credit information:

• Skimming. Skimmers are devices that can be used to swipe credit cards and collect the account numbers and information embedded in the magnetic strip. Anyone can buy a small, handheld skimmer. These can be used in restaurants. The waiter or cashier takes your card, charges your account, then swipes it a second time to steal the information. Skimmers can also be installed at ATMs to catch your PIN when you enter it. One way to detect these skimmers is to look for raised edges on the machine. If you are unsure about the ATM, use another one.

• Phishing. The most common form of phishing is the email that appears to be from your bank or credit card issuer with an urgent message about your account. These emails require you to reply with your account information or give you a number to call to supply your account information. Once you provide this, they can take money from your account or open new accounts in your name. Legitimate banks do not ask for information in this manner.

Here are some tips from the FTC and FBI to guard against fraud:

• Sign your cards as soon as they arrive.
• Carry your cards separately from your wallet in a zippered compartment, a business card holder, or another small pouch.
• Keep a record of your account numbers, their expiration dates, and the phone number and address of each company in a secure place.
• Keep an eye on your card during the transaction, and get it back as quickly as possible.
• Void incorrect receipts.
• Open bills promptly and reconcile accounts monthly, just as you would your checking account.
• Report any questionable charges promptly and in writing to the card issuer.
• Notify card companies in advance of a change in address.
• Be cautious when responding to special offers (especially through unsolicited e-mail).
• Be cautious when dealing with individuals and companies from outside the country.
• The safest way to purchase items via the Internet is by credit card because you can often dispute the charges if something is wrong. Make sure the site you are using is a secure site.
• If you bank online, don’t use the “automatic sign on” for bank or credit card sites.
• Never provide your credit card number or other personal information on the phone, unless you are able to verify that you are speaking with your trusted financial institution or a reputable merchant.
• Don’t give your account number to anyone who sends you an email or calls you on the phone.
• To make sure store or restaurant employees aren’t skimming your card, keep an eye on your card as they swipe your card for payment. The devices used for skimming are sometimes disguised to look like cell phones.
• After the purchase, check to make sure you were handed back the right card.
• If you are traveling to a foreign country or making a large purchase with your card, notify your credit card issuer in advance so your account won’t draw attention for possible fraud.
• Cover the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN at an ATM. There may be cameras or someone watching as you enter this information.
• Occasionally change your account number (one can change an account number without closing the account). Also change your PIN from time to time.

If fraud does occur, or your cards have been lost or stolen, immediately call your issuer. You are protected by law so that once you report the loss or theft, you will not be further responsible for unauthorized charges. Your maximum liability for credit cards is $50 per card. After you report the fraud, you will be sent a fraud affidavit to fill out and return.

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LowCards.com simplifies the confusion of shopping for credit cards. It is a free, independent website that helps consumers easily compare credit cards in a variety of categories such as lowest rates, rewards, rebates, balance transfers and lowest introductory rates. It also gives an unbiased ranking and review for each card. The LowCards.com Complete Credit Card Index is the most objective and comprehensive resource on the Internet which allows consumers to compare rates for all 1260 credit cards offered in this country. Created by Hampton & Associates, the company has been analyzing the credit card industry and supplying objective websites on various consumer expenses for eight years.

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