All posts by Alicia

The Manga Guide to Databases from No Starch Press

Mg_databases_covI am a mommy geek.  I love gadgets, computers, and learning new stuff.  When I got The Manga Guide to Databases from No Starch Press I was all over it and because the Japanese-style comics and educational content made it a super fun yet educational read.  Granted, it took about 2 weeks for me to finish the book because I have about 7 minutes a day to read (two kids, you get it now) but I gained a ton of knowledge about databases.  

If you are a mommy geek and design your own website(s), you will love this book.  I'm sure you are aware that databases are a necessity today and why pay someone to develop a database for you if you can do it yourself?

Buy The Manga Guide to Databases here.and check out their other business related titles on the No Starch Press website.

Bratz – Spring Activities from Dancing to Swimming

Kidz Mermaidz Yasmin
Madelyn is a little young to play with Bratz but believe me, she would if she could.  Bratz dolls are vibrant, stylish, and come with lots of accessories to occupy and entertain little girls for hours.
Bratz's new spring line is made up of Bratz expressing their individual style and interests from   sports themes to team activities giving girls the opportunity to express their own interests through their favorite Bratz dolls. 

Dance Crewz Cloe Practice
The new Bratz Dance Crewz line has Yasmin™, Cloe™,
Jade™ and Sasha™ showing off their individual style as they bring their
talents to the dance stage.  The Bratz World® line expands
this season with additions to each doll’s house, and the introduction
of Cloe’s mom, Polita.  If I remember right, my sister and I used to fight over who was the mom when we played dolls. If you're reading, correct me if I'm wrong!  There is even a
Swimmin’ Mermaid whose tail changes color when she swims in water.

Go to the Bratz website to see all of the products, watch Bratz TV, and listen to Bratz tunes.  Check out these and other Bratz on the Bratz page on the Toys R' Us website.

Bella Sara Treasures & Miniatures collections

Bellasaramini
Why do boys get to have all the trading card fun?  They don’t.. silly me.  Now with
Bella Sara collectible trading cards and miniature velvety horses, girls ages 8-12 will spend hours trading and playing with the magical world of Bella Sara.  

Bella Sara trading cards were introduced a while ago and the addition of these adorable miniature horses make for amazing fun for girls.  The Miniatures
collection is the first time Bella Sara collectors get the chance to collect actual figurines of
the Bella Sara horses.

When I received my Bella Sara package from Team Mom I didn’t realize that two of the packages held beautiful miniature horses.  Madelyn was there when I opened the first package and her face lit and she immediately took the horse to her doll house and welcomed her into her dollhouse family.  The horses fit in the palm of your hand and there are 20 velvety horses and bonus codes to collect in all.  Imagine the fun girls will have with these along with the Bella Sara trading cards. Bonus codes are used on the Bella Sara website which is a place where girls can play games and collect and care for horses.  Girls get their own cottage upon signing up for a free Bella Sara account.

More about Bella Sara

  • Girls can have even more fun on the interactive Bella Sara game website

  • 20 collectible horses

  • 20 bonus codes to use on the website

  • 8 series of trading cards

  • Trading card game

  • Bella Sara books


New from Coach’s spring 2009 Parker line: Parker Large Convertable Hippie bag

Coach Parker line - Parker Large Convertible Hippie

I love 
this bag.  Coach's new Parker Large Convertible Hippie bag is nicely priced for the amazing quality and features.  The fresh and
feminine attitude of the bag
gives moms the style they want and need while achieving the functionality goals every mom needs.  By functionality goals I mean fitting diapers, wipes, a sippy cup, a change of clothes (for the baby), your wallet, and cell phone in the bag without overstuffing it.


Why I love the Coach Parker Large Convertible Hippie bag Why I love the new Coach Parker Large Convertible Hippie bag and why it's perfect for Moms:

  • Price – given the tough economic times, the $358 price tag is a great value for the amazing quality.
  • 14" high x 14 1/2 long
  • 37” detachable strap can be worn on the shoulder or crossbody.  I don't have the strap on in the photograph.Coach - Parker Large Convertible Hippie bag
  • 15” handle with 9” drop.  I comfortably carried the bag on my shoulder with the 15" handle.
  • Large interior zip pocket to hold important things like the receipt for

    your new Marc Jabocs shoes that match your new Coach bag!

  • Fabric lining
  • Hidden magnetic snap closure
  • Small exterior zip pocket for easy access to your wallet or cell phone
  • The Parker Large Convertible Hippie bag is available in 4 feminine colors.
  • The Parker Large Convertible Hippie bag is part of the new Parker collection for
    Spring 2009. – Be one of the first to get this bag!


Check out the new Coach Parker line here.



GIVEAWAY!! (sorry, this giveaway ended March 9, 2009)  Subscribe to our newsletter to find out when new giveaways start.

Subscribe to The Mommy Insider email newsletter (box at the top of the right column) and you are automatically entered to win!  I will announce the winner right here on The Mommy Insider March 9th.

In addition, you can leave a comment about why you want this bag to be entered to win twice!  Use the same email address you use to sign up for the newsletter.

Cat in the Hat – I Can Do That! game

Cat_hat_do_that_game
Are you crazy like a cat.. a Cat in the Hat?  My kids are and maybe I am too, just a little bit.  I am guessing that almost everyone reading this review owns a copy of The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Suess.  By the way, did you know that his birthday is Monday, March 2nd.  What the perfect reason to bake a yummy cake..  I'm sure even at 107 years old Dr. Suess will appreciate your thoughtfulness and so will your kids.

The Cat in the Hat I Can Do That! game brings The Cat in the Hat book to life via the game, giving kids a new and incredibly fun way to experience this
classic Dr. Suss story we loved as children and our kids love now.  The Cat in the Hat I Can Do That! game will entertain your entire family, maybe not your 15 year old, including your husband! You'll all laugh and connect your family in a way that TV or video games can't.Cat_hat_do_that_game_detailed

I Can Do That! comes with imaginative props inspired by the classic
child
ren's book The Cat In the Hat by Dr. Seuss, as well as a deck of
color-coded cards that provide funny, challenging activities thus the name I Can Do That!.

"I Can do That" is a fun game that engages kids in fast paces activities. 

  • First, your child flips over one red card, one blue card, and one yellow card. 
  • After flipping the cards your child fits them together like puzzle pieces which when read together as a sentence, form an activity for your child to do. 
  • For example, one card might read "Take Four Giant Steps," the next card might read "With
    the Cake," and the third card might read "On your head!" How funny is that!?
  • Each card also has one, two, or
    three stars on it for score keeping purposes. 
  • This is a great confidence boosting game as kids will complete challenges they may not have thought possible.

Cat in the Hat I Can Do That! is available at Amazon.com
and you can learn more about the game at the "I Can Do That!" website, which I highly recommend visiting.  There are lots of other fun games like Horton Hears a Who – You to the Rescue and Curious George games.

Enjoy!

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