Cool Baby Kid

Ciao Baby. Cool Baby Kid’s Final Post.

cecelia — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 11:41:17 +0000

The Cool Baby Kid story dates back to pre-blogging when I created a website for my classroom using Netscape. No teacher I knew managed a website, and I had limited knowledge of creating one. After finding out my first child was coming into our family July 2006, my focus online became a site for the new baby. Shopping habits turned quickly from the latest lipgloss to finding the ultimate stroller. With some time off of work, all of the above converged as I turned my wiki of cool baby finds into a blog while somewhat unsure of exactly what blogging was all about. Cool Baby Kid was born in 2007 and has seen at least four major re-designs all with a singular focus…brining cool picks and tips to families. From baby products to educational ones, naturally over the years CBK evolved with my own interests. For instance, always a Disney lover, in 2011 when our family joined Disney Vacation Club (DVC), I began to infuse the site with weekly doses of the mouse.

Along the way, as with all bloggers who have been in the business of sharing their thoughts online, life happened. In 2009 I met Bridgette (Experimental Mommy) at BlogHer and together we realized bloggers who balance other life tasks–motherhood, careers, fitness–were truly Double Duty Divas. A network of women bloggers to support each other, eventually adding post opportunities as it grew to over 1,000 members, the Divas became a springboard to Reviewers Retreat, the first blog conference geared 100% to blog/brand relationships.

Needless to say, double became triple duty and while relinquishing my blog was once unfathomable, the time came to streamline so many tasks and so, with a heavy heart but an excited one too, I leave Cool Bavy Kid begins to managing the Double Duty Diva blog. Together with the Diva team including Angie at My Four Monkeys and Jena from Ramblings of a Healthy Chic, I can now be found in my new Diva home.

Ironically this final CBK post is being finished on the morning of BlogHer12. Three years ago at BlogHer09 the new chapter of my blogging career was set in motion when I walked the streets of Chicago in slippers with two fabulous ladies from New Orleans that I hardly knew, Bridgette and Renee from What Mommies Need. Now, they’ve become close friends, business partners and an integral reason while I’m completely comfortable moving on from Cool Baby Kid to my new role. I will miss cool picks and tips but hope you’ll join me at DoubleDutyDivas.com.blog. The Divas can also be found on Facebook and Twitter although I will be blogging and tweeting as Cool Baby Kid keeping my CBK Twitter handle.

Ciao Cool Baby.

Exclusive CVS Coupon Code {30% off CVS.com}

cecelia — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 15:29:56 +0000

Check out the ALL NEW CVS.com and use code COOLBABYKID at http://www.cvs.com/coolbabykid for 30% off your purchase. Expires 8/5/12.

Features of the new CVS.com

A personalized homepage – When you log into the site you will see a personalized view of your CVS/pharmacy experience on the myCVS homepage and be greeted with convenient reminders and information related to your prescriptions and ExtraCare activity.
Pharmacy - The pharmacy page is designed for easy management of health information, so you can remember to refill and pick up prescriptions and gather the information you need about what’s in your medicine cabinet. Additionally, you can view your prescriptions available for refill or pick-up, schedule future refills and enroll in text message notifications for prescription pick-up.
ExtraCare – If you’re an ExtraCare cardholder, you can find everything you need to manage your shopping and savings at CVS/pharmacy in one convenient location. View your ExtraSavings and ExtraBucks Rewards and send ExtraBucks Rewards and select coupons directly to your card via the “Send to Card” digital savings option.
Daily / Weekly Deals – Similar to Groupon, CVS.com now has “Deal of the Day” flash sales, offering you even more personalized savings.

Best iPhone Cover Ever. Period. End of Story.

cecelia — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 18:54:30 +0000

Back to the beginning of my M-Edge story; the first product I reviewed from them was the SuperShell for iPad. After countless comments and recommendations to parents sitting next to us at Red Lobster or other such establishments, I started to feel like an M-Edge sale rep. Having withstood the test of time (original SuperShell review was posted 12/11), the cover continues to excel. I read on my iPad–Game of Thrones currently–and it’s an extremely comfortable hold. Best yet, it’s been dropped by my children who think the device it theirs and lived to tell the tale.

The iPhone SuperShell offers more of the same awesomeness. While it may be bulky for those looking for sleek and pockatable, others after durable, comfortable and ease of use while go crazy for coco puffs when their cover arrives in the mail. Like it’s iPad and Kindle counterparts, the cover slips on and off easily with the buttons as clickable as they are sans cover. And I happen to think it’s cute as well.

Since all good stories need characters, my challenge now is to name my new cover. Experimental Mommy and What Mommies Need helped name my old one, Pecan, at BlogHer last year. So I’m thinking when I see them in two weeks at BlogHer 2012 we’ll have to get down to business making sure the best iPhone cover ever has a cool name to match it’s super-cool persona.

Cool Giveaway

Enter to win both an M-Edge SuperShell for iPhone by commenting on this post. For extra entries (leave separate comment for each):

Follow Cool Baby Kid on Pinterest
Follow Cool Baby Kid on Twitter
Follow M-Edge on Pinterest
Follow M-Edge on Twitter

Determine to win? Check out even more entry possibilities. Contest ends 7/29/12.

Cool Giveaway

Enter to win both products featured by commenting on this post. For extra entries (leave a seperate comment for each):

Follow Cool Baby Kid on Pinterest
Like Cool Baby Kid on Facebook
Follow Cool Baby Kid on Twitter

Determine to win? Check out even more entry possibilities. Contest ends 8/6/12.

Cool Giveaway: The Jungle Book DVD (10 Winners!)

cecelia — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 12:22:08 +0000

Visit all new animated series on Disney XD The Jungle Book on Facebook to enter to win one of ten DVDs including 52 episodes of the series!

Proud to Continue as a K-Cup Ambassador {Discount}

cecelia — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 13:38:25 +0000

We’re so excited to announce a continuing partnership as a K-Cup Ambassador bringing Cool Baby Kid readers exclusive discounts and K-Cup news. With a heat wave seemingly never-ending in the Northeast, the new Vitamin Burst L-Cup Packs are a fun new way to cool off. I tried out the Acai Berry yesterday–tasty! Just fill a 16 oz. cup with ice, place under your Keurig brewer and press the 6 or 8 oz. brew button for Brew Over Ice drinks such as the new Vitamin Burst K-Cup® Pack high in antioxidant vitamin C or Sweet & Creamy Regular Iced Coffee K-Cup® Pack. The all-new Sweet & Creamy packs have a splash of sweet creamer built into The Original Donut Shop brewed coffee.

Look for more news and updates in months to come and, of course, discount codes like the one below. As I drink my morning K-Cup Chai Tea, I can honestly say this is a partnership I’m proud to promote and excited for CBK readers to share.

I received sample products for review purposes; all opinions are 100% my own.

Cool Tip

Use code “LUCKY1-8144″ for 10% off storewide (excluding eGift certificates) on www.GreenMountainCoffee.com. Expires August 8, 2012.

Kia Sorento Test Drive Passes with Flying Colors

cecelia — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 12:39:59 +0000

With an opportunity to test drive a Kia Sorento for a week earlier this month, I can summarize by saying…I want one. Although I purchased an SUV for myself and my family earlier this year, a quick test drive around the block did not prepare me for how dirty black interior becomes with kids. More importantly, I never installed the car seat on the test drive. The fact that the seat belts are located so deep into the seat that I physically have to move them every time I put the kids in the car makes me want to run back to the dealership kicking and screaming. When Kia Motors sponsored Reviewer’s Retreat in June, I got a glimpse of the Sorento and liked what I saw. An SUV with 3rd row seating, which I now miss about my current car, it looked sharp, but would it withstand the ultimate test?

On our first evening with the 2013 Kia Sorento we headed to How to Train Your Dragon Live and the kids were excited about the “new car.” Initially, I was elated to be able to easily buckle the seat belt with booster seat. Hitting the road the bells and whistles were fun too–BLUETOOTH meant my phone synced in an instant, for instance. While this particular car was equipped with Navigation with built-in Sirius XM replaced UVO technology, they both function similarly by allowing owners to use voice control and a color touch screen to play music, answer the phone and more. I LOVE this and was more than a little sad to get back into my own car, scrolling through navigation the old-fashioned way.

A few days later on a road trip with three other mom friends, everyone had an opinion (and wanted their own Kia Sorento). Some of our favorite features included:

Rear camera display
Back up warning system
Air conditioned driver’s seat
Roomy back seat
Easily folding 3rd row seat
Power folding side view mirrors
Panoramic sunroof for passengers
Remote Keyless Entry

Having recently purchased a vechicle, it may not be feasible for me to make the switch. However, as soon as I’m able to do so, I’m sold. I never expected to miss 3rd row seating with two children…but I do. The Kia Sorento is is a sharp looking, practical family vehicle getting a lot of buzz for good reason.

Cool Tip

See what others are saying by following #Sorento on Twitter and find special offers on the Sorento in your area.

Introducing Elmo’s Musical Masterpiece for Wii & DS

cecelia — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:40:37 +0000

Finding age-appropriate DS and Wii games isn’t always easy as the selection is less than extensive. While “E” for everyone is technically appropriate, we purchase mainly “EC” for Early Childhood (for our 4 and 5 year old) which tends to be more educational and attainable for our target age group. Sesame Street characters have proved the most trustworthy of this category, and I don’t hesitate to try out each new title that hits the market. ALl new “Sesame Street: Elmo’s Musical Masterpiece” is no exception.

Here’s a sample of the new game on DS:

Sesame Street” Elmo’s Musical Masterpiece retails for $19.99 and is available for DS, Wii and Nintendo DS. As you can see from the above clip, my four year old son is obsessed with catching falling instruments. Exploring music in various forms and even touching on the more academic side of music, both the Wii and DS games are age-appropriate and educational–my two prerequisites for gaming at this age.

As a teacher, I’ve often asked about limiting gaming and hoe much time we allow. The choice is individual for each family, but we actually utilize technology as a part of learning time. This is the main reason we focus on EC ratings and limit non-educational apps on the iPad, for instance. While a few minutes of Where’s My Water is fine, if kids are going to be connected personally I like there to be a value to it, especially at this young age. Sesame Street knows how to make entertainment and education not mutually exclusive which is one reason they’re easy to advocate!

Cool Tip

You can purchase both games on the Sesame Street Store.

Disney/Pixar’s Brave Playtime {Mattel Giveaway}

cecelia — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 15:21:08 +0000

If your family hasn’t yet seen Brave, what can you possibly be waiting for? It’s fantastic in every way, and we plan to head to the theater to see it again soon on the big screen. Brining the character’s home, Mattel has a few new Brave toys up their belts and have given us two for Cool Baby Kid readers to check out for themselves in a cool new giveaway.

My five year old tested both and especially loves the Castle & Forest Playset. We re-created Merida’s dash into the forest with the playset having two distinct play areas. The mini-Merida or “small doll” rides her trusty horse Angus and can be expanded with the Disney/Pixar Brave Small Doll Playset. My daughter loves these size dolls and carries them with her just about everywhere. And the Disney/Pixar Brave Gem Styling Merida Doll (complete with reversible cape and bow/arrow) fits right in with the other Disney Princesses. This is she and her friends about to color with my daughter.

Product Details

Brave Gem Styling Merida doll gives girls the chance to decorate Merida’s signature blue gown or red hair with “gems.” They can even flip her reversible cape to reveal a beautiful sparkly print. $20.99, Age: 3+

Brave Castle & Forest Playset brings Merida’s magical world comes to life. When closed the play set is outdoor “forest” where Merida can venture with Angus. Open the play set to play out Merida’s life within the kingdom. $26.99, Age: 3+

Product samples were provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% my own.

Cool Giveaway

Enter to win both products featured by commenting on this post. For extra entries (leave a seperate comment for each):

Follow Cool Baby Kid on Pinterest
Like Cool Baby Kid on Facebook
Follow Cool Baby Kid on Twitter
Follow Mattel on Twitter
Follow Mattel on Facebook

Determine to win? Check out even more entry possibilities. Contest ends 7/29/12.

Shoemees: Kids’ Shoes? Toy? Both! {Coupon Code}

cecelia — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 12:49:28 +0000

Offering cool picks and tips since 2007, it’s rare to come across a completely unique product that forges it’s own path. And while cute kids shoes were one of the first reviews I ever conducted and continue to be a favorite find of mine, none are exactly like Shomees. Part kids’ shoe and part toy, the box it arrives in transforms into a habitat for the plush “Aqua” or “Blaze” which arrive with the shoes. Stickers to decorate along with well-designed graphics a box made from recycled materials, Shoemees make a fun gift which I can’t usually say about shoes since we want the kids’ to be as excited as their parents about a present.

Shoemees, made from a leather/suede combo, are breathable and look super comfortable (although I haven’t tried them on myself). Ranging in size from 10-1 they are ideal for children 4-9 years old and continue to expand their offerings. Shoemees retail for $39.9 and we have a coupon code (see below) and do make a special gift for lucky little ones.

See the Shoemees box transformation for yourself in this short video. I can guarantee you haven’t seen anything quite like it before hence garnering a top pick designation from us!

Cool Tip

Use code “shee1″ for $5.95 (shipping) off your Shoomees order and be sure to follow Shoemees on Twitter and Facebook too.

10K Giveaway: Sesame Place Tickets!

cecelia — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 17:09:41 +0000

We’re SO excited to have reached 10K followers on Twitter and are offering a spur of the moment giveaway to celebrate! Just complete any of the following to enter two tickets to Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA.

Follow CBK on Twitter and comment “I’m a Twitter follower!”
Fan CBK on Facebook and comment “I’m a Facebook fan!”
Follow our Pinterest boards and comment with “I’m a Pinterest follower!”

One comment/entry per person please. No extra entries. Ends 7/18/12.