September 26, 2009

Interested in the Yudu screen printing machine?
Check out the following updated FAQ post:

YUDU Screenprinting Machine Money Saving Tips & Tricks

Yudu 40 Comments

September 23, 2009

You can sign up for bTrendie.com using the special MamaDivas invitation code: DIVA or by clicking one of the bTrendie links that’s already linked to an invitation code.

It’s like Rue La La or Ideeli, but they feature apparel, accessories and other “I want it now!” products that are kid, mama and baby related!  Brand name shopaholic frugalista moms rejoice, because it looks like you’ve got yourself a new best friend who’ll make it oh so easy to save money on all those premier brand names you love to outfit the kiddos in oh so much, and her name is bTrendie. 

Psst… if you’ve been wanting to join Rue La La, Ideeli each link WITHIN this post to each of these online venues is linked to an invitation code that’ll give YOU the instant access that you’ve been craving! 

What brands, you ask?  Well let me just list a few: Ed Hardy for your tee-chic kids, sleek Liz Lange maternity threads at 50% off retail, Melissa and Doug for awesomely educational toys and craft supplies for your budding geniuses… and more, more, more!

Just like Rue La La and Ideeli, bTrendie not only offers awesome limited time sales for their lucky, lucky members, they also hold special members-only giveaways.  For example, right now you can enter to win a Quinny stroller.

Seriously, don’t you want to be part of that special frugal elite that always look like a million bucks while their each of their sharply dressed progeny looks like TWO million?… oh and little did you know, but those penny pinching mama divas spent 40%, 50%, even 60% less than retail.  Oh pinch me, I’m in miserly mommy heaven!

If you’re like me and you make a beeline to the clearance rack every time you step foot in a Bloomingdale’s, Bebe, Janie and Jack or Lester’s, then you NEED to be a part of bTrendie.  I HATE paying full price, it makes me sad >_<

The beauty of bTrendie: They are always moving inventory and offering new products at rock bottom prices that’ll have you smiling ear to ear instead of shaking your head after each purchase.  Founded by parents for parents, bTrendie is committed to offering the most unique, the most wanted, the  “most sought after products…. at a superior savings.”  And they’re committed to promoting and offering greener products, as well, always a good thing!

To join bTrendie:  Enter the invitation code “DIVA” (without the quotes) @ bTrendie.com

Deals & Discounts, Shopping No comments

September 16, 2009

Safeway and Warner Brothers Consumer Products have collaborated to bring families Looney Tunes themed food, drinks and snacks with Eating Right Kids!  What’s more is that these eye-catching offerings are also healthy and delicious!

Exclusively available at the 1700 Safeway stores across the country, the Eating Right Kids food and beverage line is part of the Eating Right line put out by Safeway.  All the Eating Right products are part of an effort that is dedicated to providing consumers with “better for you” choices.  With obesity being such a major health concern in the US, it’s important for families to have healthy choices readily available to them; and Safeway has already been recognized by the FTC for their efforts at providing such choices to families with children through the Eating Right Kids line.

The Eating Right kids definitely makes it easier for parents to plan meals while taking the worry out of what junk their kids are eating when they’re at school.

I guess the big question people may have on their minds is, “Well does it taste good?”  Since I am a part of Team Mom, I was given a chance to have littleQ try and enjoy an entire lunch consisting entirely of Eating Right Kids products.  He loved everything and finished his spaghetti rings and meatballs (which was much better than many other canned/shelf stable pastas) down to the last drop of sauce.  You would never have known that the pasta was whole wheat!  He especially LOVED the berry and chocolate chewy bar.  Of course he did, it has chocolate!  Leave it to Safeway to come out with something so dreadfully sinful but still good for you.

Bottom line is there is absolutely nothing at all I dislike about the Eating Right Kids line.  Whatever makes life easier and streamlines a mama’s day to day routine gets a plus in my book.

Besides packing for school lunches and having the various puddings and other snacks on hand for after school, I think the Eating Right Kids line is perfect for having on hand when the family is planning a family day at the pumpkin patch or a hike, or even just a relaxing day in the urban jungle, because it’s definitely still nice enough to have a picnic at Central Park or Pelham Bay Park. 

Unfortunately, a quick search on Safeway.com yielded no results for a Safeway location on or around Long Island, NY.  Hopefully Safeway opens up a location in Nassau or Suffolk county.

Reviews, Yummy Food No comments

September 15, 2009

I got my Yudu today! Unfortunately, due to my impatience I managed to ruin the two emulsion sheets that came with it, but I’m off to Michael’s tomorrow to pick up a couple of sheets, and maybe Pearl Paint as well to pick up some Diazzo emulsion liquid, sensitizer, and an emulsion scoop or whatever it’s called.

Provo Craft, if you happen to come across this, I think that for the price we pay the Yudu should come with initially 4 or 5 sheets of emulsion…… AT LEAST!

Anyway, (((I’m so excited!)))

Yudu 3 Comments

September 9, 2009

Knitting!

A Mama's Life, Crafty Mama No comments

September 9, 2009

A few months ago I was given a Verseo ePen home electrolysis kit to try out and review.  Verseo ePen:  It’s a home electrolysis system, but is this the alternative to pricey salon and spa based permanent hair removal that you’ve been waiting for?

The way the ePen works is that it delivers an imperceptible amount of electrical current for a predetermined period of time either through the tip or the attached gel pads, and that in turn destroys the root of the hair follicle(s) that are in contact with the current.  The user would then have to pluck (or thread, for facial hair only) the offending hairs out, and after a few uses, you’ll notice inhibited or maybe even no hair growth in that area.

The cost of the ePen home electrolysis ($59.95 MSRP) is negligible when you compare it to the cost of going to the salon for electrolysis sessions (@ $50 or more each, PER area, multiple sessions necessary) or  laser treatments (@ least $100 or more per session, also MULTIPLE sessions required) for permanent hair removal, and assuming you use the ePen as needed and according to the simple to follow directions, you’ll MORE than get your money’s worth.  The kit includes the ePen and enough accessories (pads, conductive gel, etc) for many, many treatments.

I thoroughly enjoy the whole idea and practice of DIY and frugality in beauty and skin care, however busy moms that we are, we don’t always have the luxury of a few minutes to ourselves during which time we’re able to sit and hold an ePen to our upper lips.  If I could find the time to use the ePen without being interrupted by a barrage of questions from a preschool aged child or the frantic “pick me up!” squeals of an infant, then I totally would use it on a regular basis!

After using the ePen on my brows, I did notice that the hairs I had applied it to did slip out more easily and didn’t hurt as much when I plucked them, so that was a definite plus.  Basically, the entire treatment is pain free from start to finish.  The directions did note that it’s possible to experience a bit of tingling or discomfort at the area of contact, and while I did not experience any such reaction on my face, I did feel a little itchiness at the spot I tested on my arm.  That feeling did go away after about an hour.

Is the Verseo ePen worth a try?  Sure, but I personally think it’s only practical for facial hair, and possibly underarm hair, and only if you don’t mind repeating the monotonous process multiple times to achieve hairlessness.  From my experience, it seems to do the job, but unfortunately I don’t have the time to go through the treatments on a regular, ongoing basis, so I can’t even vouch for the whole inhibiting the hair growth benefit.  I do suggest that if you’ll be using the ePen on your eyebrows or your upper lip to get threaded after applying the treatment to quickly and cleanly get rid of the hair.

Purchase the Verseo ePen:

• Verseo.com – $59.99
• Shop.com – $60.00

Reviews 1 Comment

September 8, 2009

About an hour ago I went ahead, took the plunge and ordered myself a Yudu personal screen printing machine!

I’m so excited, because after watching the various tutorial and review videos crafty bloggers have posted on YouTube, my mind is fairly spinning with all the creative ideas I have planned

With a retail price of $299.99, this is not a cheap toy.  However you can find it on eBay for about $180-$200 shipped, at Amazon.com for about $200 shipped, on HSN.com (from whence the craze began) for as little as about $230 shipped (possibly even less) with a coupon.  Michael’s is selling the machine for regular price and then offering purchasers (from Michael’s only of course) a $50 gift certificate.  My take on it?  Get it from either Amazon or eBay it for the best deal on the Yudu.  The only downside with eBay is that you can get a Yudu in the under $200 range on auctions only, so while it’s highly likely you will, there’s no guarantee you’ll win one at so low a price.

Some people love their Yudu’s and say it’s worth every penny, while others argue that the price of the Yudu is not justified.  Well, sure you can run out and just get a whole bunch of screen printing supplies from any art or crafts store, however much of what you’re paying for with the Yudu is the convenience of being able to burn your screens (which is multiple steps) and print your projects all in one relatively compact device.  Provocraft recommends that users ONLY use Yudu branded accessories and inks (big surprise there), but some Yudu connoisseurs have already confirmed that it is OK to use some third-party inks (such as Speedball waterbased screen printing ink), at the user’s discretion due to differences in the inks’ consistencies.  Also, you can check out DIYteeshirt.com for a yudu screen hack to save on photosensitive emulsion sheet costs.

I’ve read what people have to say about the Yudu, both positive and negative, and all I know is I am psyched to try my hand at personally screen printing custom tees for myself and the kiddos, as well as invitations, etc. etc.

I hope I’m not being overly ambitious about the Yudu (I don’t think I am), but based on the content of the reviews I’ve read, I am inclined to believe that many of those who dislike the Yudu do so because of impatience and inability to so quickly and effortlessly master the skill and art of screen printing.  Just like any crafty hobby, screen printing, even on such a minor level, has a learning curve and requires skill, attentiveness and determination (and practice!) to master.  Being that I’m pretty much “behind” the fad, there’s a plethora of user-created tutorials for the Yudu available on the web, so I’m crossing my fingers and hope that any problems I may run into has already been experienced and addressed by a more advanced crafty vlogging or blogging mom.

As soon as I receive my Yudu and try it out, I’ll post (and maybe even vlog) about it!

Yudu 2 Comments