Category Archives: Products

Happy Birthday Elmo: Elmo’s Favorite Things DVD Release Party

Also posted in Media Events, Uncategorized . by jessica on February 13, 2012

Try to imagine a 2 ½ year old’s vision of a perfect day: a bunch of friends, music , arts and crafts, cookies, candy, cake and balloons are all pretty good ingredients, no?

At Elmo’s 3 ½ year old birthday party (Monsters count birthdays differently than humans, natch), we were even treated to a musical performance from the real Elmo himself with his pal Leela, from Sesame Street.

Throw in a meeting with Elmo and you’ve passed happy and into the realm of completely awestruck. The only catch? After seeing human sized Elmo impersonators for so long, try to convince the 2 ½ year old in question that the small red puppet with the man’s hand in his tush is the ‘real’ Elmo. Though a little thrown off, my little one truly enjoyed her hug I was just hugely starstruck to meet Kevin Clash!

Hey @duanereade ! This #NYC Mom is Your Ideal #DReade VIP Blogger!

Also posted in NY . by jessica on January 30, 2012

Those who know me, know that I’m a die-hard New Yorker.

I grew up in this city.

I went to college in this city.

I even went to grad school in this city.

Though my husband hears the call of the suburbs whispering in his ears, I prefer to nod off to sleep listening to the buzz of traffic and the lull of sirens going in all directions.

And to think…there are people who choose to live amongst the trees even though they are giving up a 24-hour Duane Reade on every other block?!

According to the Duane Reade Store Locator, there are 21 Duane Reade stores within a mile of my apartment building…

A peek Into My Kitchen: Sweet & Salty Caramel Apples (nut-free)

Also posted in A Peek Into My Kitchen, Food and Drink, Uncategorized . by jessica on January 20, 2012

To be honest, it has never really occurred to me to cook with pretzels. Every once in a while, I’ve seen a recipe for Pretzel-crusted this or that and I’ve definitely watched an episode or two of Chopped in which pretzels were one of the mystery ingredients…but I don’t generally think of them as more than a snack food staple in my pantry.

That’s actually one of the reasons that I thought it would be fun to do this post–to stretch my culinary imagination a bit.

Trying to figure out what to make, I had a “eureka!” moment. My nut-allergic son rarely gets to eat fun, frivolous carnival food like Caramel Apples because they are generally coated with peanuts. I threw a handful of pretzels in my food processor, dipped some apples in melted caramel and then in the pulverized pretzels. Voila! Nut-free caramel apples which still have the salty-sweet element which is generally provided by roasted peanuts.

Pocoyo Squeeze ‘n Play (review and giveaway)

Also posted in Giveaways . by jessica on January 19, 2012

My 2 1/2 year old daughter isn’t really all that familiar with the characters from Pocoyo or the show itself (currently on Nick JR., PBS and Univision) However, when she opened the box with this soft 9-inch tall guy inside and heard 3 different sounds he makes when you squeeze his tummy, she immediately declared him her new baby.

This little guy has found his way into a doll stroller, a doll bed and into my daughter’s high chair (it was time for his lunch.)

I love that my kidlet didn’t need to be familiar with the show to immediately make friends with Pocoyo himself. Imagine the reaction that a die-hard fan of the cartoon would have?

My one issue is that I really don’t love toys that make noise…particularly toys that don’t have volume control. Thankfully, my daughter is more into toting Pocoyo around than actually squeezing him…though she does enjoy his little giggle.

The lovely folks at Bandai are providing one Squeeze ‘n Play Plush to a lucky winner!

He is perfect for all kids 18 months and up and retails for $19.99

Great Bling for Your Buck: TwittaBling (Review, Discount & Giveaway)

Also posted in Giveaways . by jessica on December 16, 2011

I fear that I have become a social media geek.

I think in statuses and, quite often, in 140 characters.

I have, more than once, had to identify myself as “peekababy” (yep, complete with finger air quotes.)

I have even been known to throw in terms such as hashtag, twitter party and klout in mixed company.

That said, I still like a little something shiny (aside, of course, from the prerequisite iPhone and laptop.)

TwittaBling, take me away….

Founded by Shelley Shafran (@itzuvi) and Yoni Wiseman (@bydahway), TwittaBling gives the social media obsessed the chance to turn their obsession sparkly. Users can customize necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets with their Twitter handle or hashtag in sterling silver or 14 karat gold and even add on additions such as Swarovski crystals or diamonds.

I must say, when I found out that I would be getting a necklace to review, I didn’t know quite what to expect. What I got was a cute fuzzy heart shaped purple gift box with a decent-weight, super shiny silver necklace inside. I have already worn my necklace to two different blogging events, and people zeroed in on my TwittaBling almost immediately.

Let me share with you the stages of bonding with my new necklace:

“Look at me in my new bling. I am so cool that I am sticking out my tongue for no apparent reason!”

“I am so cool that I am laughing at myself, for that is what cool people do.”

“I am pensively cool. I am looking toward the heavens, and I am doing it wearing bling.”

“I am unflappable, despite the fact that I am standing in the corner of my filthy kitchen. I will commence washing dishes now, but I will do it in a new and blingful way.”

Oh, yeah, and a lot of super cool trendy Hollywood types are rocking their own TwittaBling.

TwittaBling was even mentioned as one of the Six Gifts Marketers Would Love to Unwrap This Holiday Season by Forbes.com

They all want to be as cool as me!

The generous folks at TwittaBling are providing a sterling silver necklace to a lucky winner! They will even ship it to you anywhere in the world…even Canada Need Bling right now? Use the code PEEKABABY10 at TwittaBling.com through 1/16 for 10% off!

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Love, Joy, Hope and Giving: St. Jude and LOFT Launch Symbolic Charms to Benefit Kids with Cancer

Also posted in Health, Media Events, Misc. . by jessica on December 5, 2011

Two things it’s hard to argue with–really good deals and helping out kids with cancer…ok, not necessarily in that order

When I was invited to an event by Trumpeting Media at the LOFT Flatiron store at which I would

a. get an exclusive preview of Loft’s new charms benefiting St. Jude before they officially went on sale

and

b. have the chance to chat with blogging buddies over cocktails and hors oeuvres while shopping the store at 30% off

I didn’t have to think for too long before I said yes.

At the event, we were privileged to hear from Gracie, a little girl who had received life-saving treatments at St. Jude and was proud to have been a part of the marketing campaign for the organization that saved her life at no financial cost to her family.