I ran across this section in Trendwatching which mentions two services that I like to use. You might want to try them out. They’re informative (and you get to try out free products!).

“Women in the United States can now sign up to test-drive new products in exchange for their honest opinions and reviews at SheSpeaks. Here’s how it works: when users sign up, they complete a questionnaire about their interests, hobbies, likes and dislikes. SheSpeaks selects an appropriate product match, which the members receive in two to three weeks. Products are theirs to keep, and to try out in their own homes and as part of their everyday lives. In exchange, members provide their candid feedback online on the SheSpeaks website. Discussion boards allow testers to exchange views and opinions with other women who have tested the same products. After the review process, users can get the scoop on how their reviews may have impacted a product before it goes to market, which creates a nice feedback loop. Over 30,000 women from across the country have already signed up.

Procter & Gamble’s Vocalpoint has a similar set up, but obviously focuses on P&G products (”for moms”) only. According to BusinessWeek, Vocalpoint had more than 600,000 members in 2006. Time to partner with these folks?”

Source: http://www.trendwatching.com/briefing/

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We’re giving away a couple of great books: a paperback copy of Forever Lily: An Unexpected Mother’s Journey to Adoption in China and a hardcover copy of The Life You Longed For.

To enter, simply send an email to contests@mominthecity.com with “Books” in the Subject line. The winner will be chosen on August 31st.

Mom in the City newsletter list members are eligible for the monthly giveaways. (To be added to the newsletter list, email your name, zip code and referral source to kcoleman@mominthecity.com)

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1. Pedicures: This summer I have fallen in love with Kris at Think Pink Nails down on 10th Street. She is meticulous and gives great advice regarding at home care (i.e. pumice with lotion, not soap, after your shower – it’s less drying). Practically every time that I go to her, I can’t resist getting an extra foot treatment…I especially like the paraffin treatment and the “callous eliminator”. My feet deserve the extra pampering!.

2. Starbucks Tall Caramel Frappuccino® Blended Coffee with Extra Caramel: I’m not much of a coffee drinker. I prefer tea. However, when I need a caffeine boost, this is my favorite drink because it tastes like caramel ice cream. I try not to think about the calories (300, not including the extra caramel) or the price (almost 3 times the cost of a caramel sundae). That’s why it’s a treat, not a daily drink!

3. The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch: For some reason that I can’t really explain, I love this show. A lot of people (including my husband) think that this show is awful. My husband’s “reasoning” is that Donny tells everyone that their ideas are great even when they’re not. I kind of like that Donny is positive to the point of losing touch with reality. Who knows, he could be right and some of these “awful” ideas could go on to be great. Overall, I like practically anything that gives people hope/ inspires people to go for their dreams. If you’re a Pollyanna like me, you can catch this show on weeknights at 10pm/1am on CNBC.

4. A Chorus of Colors exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History: My family visited this exhibit (at my husband and son’s suggestion). I didn’t want to go…I thought that there would just be a bunch of big old green frogs which is definitely not my cup of tea. I ended up enjoying the exhibit the most! I never knew that there was such a wide variety of frogs – there were frogs of all sizes and most amazing (to me) was the wide variety of colors. Some were actually beautiful…they looked like fake plastic frogs but they were real!

5. parsons desk with drawers by west elm: This versatile piece can be used as an entry console or as an office desk. It comes in black, mushroom, beet red, chocolate and polished white. I definitely want this piece as soon as I can get my baby’s crib out of our bedroom!


6. myshape.com: I like the way that this online retail store site helps women find clothes that fit us well and flatter our body shapes. The great thing is that they not only sell you clothes but also help you to determine your body type (I’m a “Y”) and gives recommendations based on your type and preferences.

7. Light Iris: This is a search engine for expectant and new moms which organizes online information so that moms won’t have to waste their time (i.e. if you type in “sleep deprivation”, you’ll get results geared towards moms, not everyone). Anything that helps me get accurate information quicker gets a thumb up from me.

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In case you’re interested….

“In celebration of The Land Before Time (the #1 best-selling animated movie series and new television series on Cartoon Network), BSM Media is hosting Dino-Mite Mommy & Me Mixers sponsored by Universal Studios, nationwide! We are seeking moms with children between 2-7 years old to host Dino-Mite Mixers at their homes. Host moms will receive a Dino-Mite Party Pak, which is FREE, and loaded with everything moms need to throw a fun and exciting party that includes The Land Before Time themed activities, refreshments and snack ideas, invitations, goodie bags for your guests and other party supplies.

Each party should host approximately 8-10 moms and their preschoolers to celebrate Summer & The Land Before Time. Parties will take place between the end of August 13-31, 2007 and moms have flexibility with selecting a date & time that works for her! The paks can even be used in an already existing playgroup/playdate.

We hope you will share testimonials and pictures from your party with us!

If you are interested in hosting a Dino-Mite Mommy & Me Mixer and receiving a free pak, please click here to register http://www.bluesuitmom.com/mixer/landbeforetime.html”

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I recently received a wonderful new diaper bag by Melissa Beth Designs. The diaper bag has wipeable insides, backpack conversion straps, a matching changing pad and much more. In addition, it’s super cute!

“Hollywood’s hottest new moms are scooping up Melissa Beth’s functional, must-have “Baby-umptuous” Diaper Bag! Created in baby-soft velour, the diaper bag includes backpack conversion straps, a matching changing pad, interior bottle holder, wipeable lining and easy-to-reach pockets. Fans include new moms Jenna Elfman and Keri Russell. The Baby-uptuous Diaper Bag is available in heather grey, dusty pink, robin’s egg and orchid green, and retails for $168 at www.melissabeth.com. Don’t miss the line’s fabulous collection of colorful laptop bags, sleeves and accessories as seen at The Apple Store!”

I like this bag so much that we’re giving the heather gray Baby-umptious bag to a Mom in the City member. Details will be in the August members’ newsletter.

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PUSH.tv is a new company (created by the founder of Crunch Fitness) that specializes in customized personal training DVDs (sort of like Netflix for fitness). It is targeted toward women and busy moms and their work-out options include a great post-natal workout.

I recently began their program with Jessica Smith as my personal trainer. In addition to receiving the customized (based on my answers to several questions) dvd, I also received sample meal plans and resistance bands in my first month’s package.

I’m excited that PUSH is offering Mom in the City members a FREE 30 day trial ($25 value). To start your trial, please visit www.push.tv/mominthecity.

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In case you haven’t heard about it already…

HowsMyNanny.com is a members-only service that sends you a license plate to hang on your stroller. Then, onlookers can send you a message reporting any negative or praiseworthy behavior by your nanny.

I have mixed feelings about this service. On the one hand, I don’t think that I would leave my child with someone whom I didn’t trust completely. (I guess that’s why I decided to stay at home with my kids until they’re ready to go to school.) On the flip side, I know that there are many working moms who want to know what’s going on with their kids when they’re not there. If that’s your scenario, this service might very well set your minds at ease.

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I love it when moms live their dreams. As such, I’m happy to announce the upcoming release of Karen Gurwitz’ The Well Rounded Pregnancy Cookbook. Karen is a really nice mom who is great at preparing food. (I could hardly get my toddler son to stop eating the healthy, yummy food that she catered for an event that we attended!)

Karen, the founder of Mothers & Menus , includes over 100 recipes that are adapted to meet the many moods [Feeling Green (nausea) Feeling Blue (cravings) or Feeling Full (weight loss, or increased nutrients)] of expectant and new moms in this new book.

The book will be available at bookstores on Tuesday, August 7th. But you can pre-order your copy at Amazon.com. To do so, please follow the link here.

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For all of you moms who would like to empower women and improve society by starting a business, doing a community service or an awareness/outreach program, check out this program at http://shop.avon.com/HelloTomorrowFund/index.aspx. It awards $5,000 cash awards to individuals that will allow them to pursue their projects.

The program, which began on April 17, 2007, will give an award each week for one year, so be sure to put in you your application (which is pretty painless) ASAP.

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