Monthly Archives: March 2011

SALONPAS Pain Relief Patch Review

SALONPAS Pain Relief Patch
SALONPAS Pain Relief Patch

Ever since a car accident I had about 10 years ago, I’ve had back and neck issues.  My back and/or neck hurt substantially hurt 70% of the time.  I don’t want to take perscription pain meds so I rely on my trusty heating pad and my massage chair every day.  I was recently introduced to SALONPAS by Stacie from TheDivineMissMommy.com and it really has changed how I do things.   I used to dread long road trips because it was a sure thing that my neck and back would be hurting after about an hour in the car.  Now, I just put a SALONPAS pain relieving patch on my neck or back and wahlah, it helps so much!

I ‘m getting ready to attend a nice relaxing 😉 Salonpas Twitter party hosted by @theprplace, @StacieinAtlanta, @lisasample, @crissy along with @mrsalonpas. I’m going to learn how to soothe the aches and pains that are sure to follow our Spring Break family vacation with Salonpas. You can join the party & be entered to win prizes here: http://productreviewplace.ning.com/profiles/blogs/salonpas-twitter-party-monday

You can learn more about SALONPAS on their website here.

SALONPAS Twitter

SALONPAS Facebook

Alicia Hagan, Mom Blog editor

Atlanta Moms: Enjoy “Minnie’s Masquerade” Activities and Radio Disney Junior Music at Simon Malls this April

Disney Junior celebrates the upcoming debut of “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie’s Masquerade” on Disney Channel with family events hosted by Radio Disney.

Disney Junior, a new multiplatform destination for kids age 2-7, is celebrating the debut of “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie’s Masquerade” with fun, interactive family events hosted by Radio Disney at participating Atlanta-area Simon Malls.

Local area kids and families are invited to enjoy themed activities including do-it-yourself masquerade masks. The Radio Disney Road Crew will provide on-stage entertainment inviting kids to sing and dance to the tunes of popular Radio Disney Junior songs from their favorite Disney Junior series including “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Handy Manny,” “Imagination Movers” and the new hit adventure series “Jake and the Never Land Pirates.” Additionally, the Radio Disney Road Crew will give away Disney Junior themed prizes at each event.

“Minnie’s Masquerade” events details:

Gwinnett Place Mall Saturday, April 2, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in Center Court by Mega Mart
2100 Pleasant Hill Road – Duluth
770-476-5160
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Twitter

Mall of Georgia – Wednesday, April 6 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in Nordstrom Court
3333 Buford Drive – Buford
678-482-8788
Facebook
Twitter

Town Center at Cobb – Saturday, April 9 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in Center Court
400 Barrett Pkwy. – Kennesaw
770.424.9486
Facebook
Twitter

In “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie’s Masquerade,” debuting MONDAY, APRIL 11 (9:00 a.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel, Minnie plans a masquerade ball for all of her clubhouse pals.  Everyone dresses up in their favorite costumes, but when one of Goofy’s shoes goes missing, the friends must work together to find it in time for the party and Professor Von Drake’s big Clubhouse Costume Show.

The new Disney Junior programming block on Disney Channel reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary. It invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for kids age 2-7. Disney Junior’s animated and live action series blend Disney’s unparalleled storytelling and characters kids love deeply with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social skills.  Disney Junior is available on basic cable in more than 99 million U.S. homes (via a daily block on Disney Channel) and to millions of other viewers on 25 Disney Junior channels (fka Playhouse Disney channels) and free-to-air broadcast partners around the world. It is also seen via subscription video-on-demand and a broadband website, DisneyJunior.com. In 2012 Disney Junior will add a basic cable and satellite channel in the U.S.

Radio Disney is the #1, 24-hour radio network devoted to kids, tweens and families. Kids help pick the music that is played and are encouraged to interact via a toll-free phone line to the Radio Disney studio. The network’s current playlist, driven by listener requests and representing major record labels, includes recording artists Selena Gomez & The Scene, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Willow Smith, Jonas Brothers, Taio Cruz and Allstar Weekend. The network is available on over 35 terrestrial radio stations and is also available via RadioDisney.com, Sirius and XM satellite radio on channel 115, iTunes Radio Tuner, mobile phones and on the Radio Disney iPhone and Android Apps.

Alicia Hagan, Mom Blog editor

 

GeoPalz Activity Tracker for Kids Review & Giveaway

GeoPalz Activity Tracker
GeoPalz Activity Tracker

Do you wish your kids were more active? Not the on-the-couch active that they think it active because they are moving their eyes or hands, but the get up and move kind of active?  I do and since seriously limited the amount of TV that my kids watch, they’ve been more active and they love it as much as I do!

Something that helped my son get more active is his new GeoPalz activity tracker.

With GeoPalz, the kids in your family will want to join in on the activity and stay active this spring. GeoPalz (www.geopalz.com) activity tracker is the first decorative pedometer and online game that tracks your child’s physical activity throughout the day. The GeoPalz easy-to-use pedometer sits on your child’s waistline and comes in several kid-friendly designs.

GeoPalz Activity Tracker
GeoPalz Activity Tracker - Marcus

And the cool thing about GeoPalz…the kids walk to win! For every mile your child achieves with GeoPalz, it counts as one pedpoint when you register your GeoPalz online. Your child can manually enter his or her steps online and once the points start to add up, he or she can use the points to redeem fun, activity-focused prizes, such as baseballs, Frisbees and gift cards to popular stores, such as Target.

Sebastian is very motivated by prizes no matter how big or small and GeoPalz has got the prize thing mastered.

 

GeoPalz

GeoPalz Website

Follow GeoPalz on Twitter

Follow GeoPalz on Facebook

GIVEAWAY!

We are giving a lucky reader a GeoPalz of their choice.  To enter to win leave a comment below telling me which GeoPalz is your favorite and why you want your child to have a GeoPalz.

Entries accepted through April 10th, 2011.  Open to U.S. residents 18+ only.

Extra entries:

  • Follow @mommyinsider on Twitter
  • Like us on Facebook
  • Like GeoPalz on Facebook
  • Like GeoPalz on Twitter
  • Tweet this: “I entered to win a GeoPalz Activity Tracker on TheMommyInsider.com!  You can entere here: http://wp.me/plszx-275”
  • Be sure to tell us what you’ve done in the comments below!

 

Alicia Hagan, Mom Blog editor

My 2006 Nissan Quest Lease is Almost Up.. What Should I Do?

I drive a 2006 Nissan Quest minivan sportsvan and love it.  The lease is just about up on it though am I’m struggling with trying to figure out what to do or get.  Not once in my life have I been so completely satisified with a car so much so that I wasn’t anxious to trade it in after a few years.  However, my Nissan Quest not only satisfies me but I am proud of it too.  Unlike with other cars I’ve driven in the past, I don’t mind piling a few of the kid’s friends and parents in the car for a day out because I like my Quest and I’m proud of it.  Oh, and I just had some vinyl lettering installed on the rear window on the Quest for my website, AtlantaMoms.com, so I’d had to do that all over again if I got a new car.. but that’s not a big deal.

2006 Nissan Quest
My 2006 Nissan Quest Collage

I use my car to the max. The kids and I are always on-the-go between school, after school activities, local events, my job (AtlantaMoms.com) has us going to events around Atlanta a lot, camping trips, and I’ve been driving it to blog/social media conferences often lately which my great friends Desiree Miller from StressFreeBaby.com and Stacie Connerty from TheDivineMissMommy.com and would love to continue to do so.  I’m afraid if I keep putting miles on this Quest, it’s going to go give out on me or the maintenance expenses will sky rocket.  So, is that a good reason to get a new car?

Again, I love my Nissan Quest.. I’m not anxious to get a new car. I just want to make the smartest decision when my lease is up.. very soon.  The Quest has take us to Orlando many times, Kentucky to see family many times, on many many road trips, and to and from every day activities for almost 5 years.

Here’s what I love about my 2006 Nissan Quest:

  • The size.  It seats 7 people easily.
  • The cargo area in the back is great.
  • The DVD movie and sound system is great.
  • The heated seats. I love these.. even on hot summer days I use the heated seats to help with my back issue.
  • The running boards.  I am short (so are the kids!) and I love having running board to step onto so I don’t fall on my face when I get out of the car.
  • Automatic doors.  I love that the kids can push a button to get out and that I can close the door from the front control panel when my daughter’s teacher gets her out of the car in the morning.
  • Safety.  The Nissan Quest crash test results were very good.
  • The leather seats.  They are so easy to clean.
  • The adjustable pedals.  Because I’m short, I tend to have a difficult time reaching the gas pedals on some cars.  The Nissan Quest has adjustable pedals so I just move them all the way up so I can reach them easily.
  • It hasn’t had any major mechanical issues.
  • Wireless headphones.  The kids can listen to a movie while I listen to music up front.
  • Front and rear air conditioning.
  • Rear View Monitor

Here’s what I don’t love about my Nissan Quest:

  • I think the front seats could be much more comfortable.
    I drive long distances regularly for family road trips and blogger trips and have back and neck issues, so being comfortable while driving long distances is extremely important to me and is the MAIN reason I would consider getting a different minivan.
  • It needs about $800 worth of regular maintenance done on it within the next few weeks.
    I maintain my Quest very well and this is a regular maintenance and new tires, etc.. but I’m thinking maybe that $800 can be spent on a new lease or buy instead of on maintenance on a vehicle I might not have in a few months when my lease is up.
  • Not that this is something I don’t love about my current Nissan Quest, but I am always on top of the newest technology and it sort of pains me to know that there is a newer version of my car out there that has better technology implemented in it than mine.

What I would love in my next car:

  • All of the things listed in my “What I love..” section above PLUS
  • Built in GPS
  • Moonroof
  • Blind spot warning system
  • Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System
  • Woodgrain
  • USB input

Here though, are a few questions I’ve been asking myself over and over for the last few weeks:

If I trade it in for a new Quest:

  • How much will I be charged for being over milage?
  • How much will I be charged for the broken cup holder?

If I keep and buy my Quest:

  • When I finish buying the Quest, in three years, will I still want it and will it still be in good enough condition to drive for another few years so I can be without a car payment for a few years at least?

Go New..Buy or Lease?

  • If I decide to trade the current Quest in for a new car, should I buy or lease?
  • What are the proc and cons of leasing?

Go New All Together

  • Should I embrace change and buy or lease an entirely different vehicle?  I need a minivan and have test driven the Honda Odyssey and didn’t have any qualms with it but am not sure if I want to switch from Nissan to Honda.

The funny thing is, I haven’t actually seen or driven the new Nissan Quest yet.  I’ve seen plenty of photographs online and inquired about it at my local dealership where I leased my Quest, but the salesperson at the dealership wasn’t very nice or informative which turned me off to shopping with them.

What I’m asking for from you..

Is your help with this process!  What would you do? Are there other questions I should be asking myself?  Am I using my super power of over-thinking things too much here?  I need to have one of Oprah’s Ah-Ha! moments here.. I’m desperate!

Your advice and thoughts are greatly appreciated!  What would you do if you were in my shoes?

Image source: The photograph of the Nissan Quest above, is from Edmunds.com. Can you believe I couldn’t find a single full body shot of my van?

Alicia Hagan, Mom Blog editor

Atlanta Moms: Newly Designed Disney Store is Opening at Perimeter Mall March 30th

20110327-093136.jpg

Disney Store will celebrate the opening of the newly designed store Perimeter Mall in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday, March 30, 2011. This will be the first of many newly designed Disney Stores to open in 2011.

Event and Store Highlights:

• Jodi Benson, the legendary voice of Ariel, from Disney’s The Little Mermaid, will join Atlanta families in celebrating the new store opening.

• The new Disney Store offers a one-of-a-kind, interactive and magical experience for Disney fans of all ages.

• Disney Store’s new design concept aims to deliver “the best 30 minutes of a child’s day” through immersive experiences including a Disney Princess with Magic Mirror, Translucent Trees, Disney●Pixar CARS-branded Ridemakerz experience and the Disney Store Theatre featuring the latest Disney entertainment.

Get in on the Fun!

• The first 250 guests who attend the public celebration will receive FREE Mickey Mouse ears.
• With each new store opening in 2011, Disney Store will donate 10 percent of the first day’s sales to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the United States.

About the Disney Store Opening Event:

The Disney Store opening event is Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at Disney Store at Perimeter Mall (4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30346)
• Arrive by 9 a.m.for a private tour of new Disney Store
• 9:30 a.m. – Interview opportunities with Disney Store executives
• 10:00—Disney Store Opening Ceremony and Jodi Benson “Unlocks Magic”

Special Interactive Disney Store Features Include:

• Disney Store Theatre
• Disney Princess Castle with Magic Mirror
• CARS branded Ridemakerz experience

More about Disney Store:

ABOUT DISNEY STORE:
The new Disney Store offers a one-of-a-kind, interactive and magical experience for Disney fans of all ages. Disney Store’s new design concept aims to deliver “the best 30 minutes of a child’s day” through immersive experiences including a Disney Princess with Magic Mirror, Translucent Trees, Disney●Pixar CARS-branded Ridemakerz experience and the Disney Store Theatre featuring the latest Disney entertainment.

For more information, visit www.disneyconsumerproducts.com/press/us/disneystore.