review - Stuff Parents Need

Solution Central at Best Buy: FREE Services to Help You Maximize Your Technology

January 31, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 2 Comments

Last weekend I visited a store that I have not set foot inside of for probably 2 or 3 years.

Now, I haven’t been inside the store not because Best Buy made me mad or I have some horrible memory of a guy breaking up with me in the parking lot or anything else dramatic. It just doesn’t come up on my short list of places to visit. If pressed, I’d have to offer the following reasons why:

1. I seem to recall the stores being very busy but also very haphazard. Great customer service, but still intimidating if you were feeling a bit clueless about a particular gadget you were considering. Definitely an overwhelming place to go with kids.

2. I like and DO shop at their online store (I purchased the laptop I am using right this minute at BestBuy.com during the holidays of 2010). Like many other folks my age, shopping online is a very normal thing, and often, is preferable to having to make a trip to the store.

So when I walked into my local Best Buy this past weekend, I was rather shocked by what I saw. The layout was sleeker, easier to visually navigate (lower shelves, less busy-ness), and smack dab in the center of the store was a safe haven for anyone who needed a little bit of help.

The area had several employees stationed there, ready to answer any questions about products customers might be considering purchasing, or even about products that they already purchased.

I happened to be signed up for a free technology class that Best Buy offers on saving money by using your smart phone. I love my iPhone, but I do NOT love the monthly bill. I want to make sure my device is working as hard as possible for me to save money wherever I can.

Signing up for this class was very easy. There are several different class options, and there are also FREE one-on-one consultations offered to help you get your specific questions answered. Here are the steps to take!

Step 1 – visit www.geeksquad.com/scheduling

Step 2 – scroll down to ‘In-Store Solution Central Scheduling’

Step 3 – Click on the ‘Schedule a Reservation’ button

Step 4 – Enter your address or zip code for the available locations near you

Step 5 – Select the location you want

Step 6 – Select the reservation you want (either consultation or a class you want to attend)

Step 7 – Select date and time (very simple drop down options)

Step 8 – Provide your contact information (not only for registration, but you will be sent confirmation and reminder emails, which is so helpful if you are forgetful like me!)

Normally the classes have around 6 people in them, but I hit the jackpot, because I was the only one signed up for this particular class. That meant one-on-one attention! 🙂 The Geek Squad agent showed me a few apps that I already use and love (Groupon and Living Social) but then she introduced me to 4 other apps that I wasn’t using and that I got REALLY excited about trying. One of them will help me easily put together menus and grocery lists based not only on my families preferences, but also on what happens to be on sale that week. Talk about a HUGE money and time saver!

I was really impressed with the agent I worked with, and with the entire concept of Solution Central. Best Buy is working hard to ensure that customers don’t feel like their experience has ended after they have made their purchases. They want to make sure you really enjoy what you purchased, and sometimes that means that you need to have a place to go to get some of your questions answered.

Or, you might be plugging along just fine but not making optimal use of your technology, as in my case with the iPhone. Best Buy gave me some great tips to help me make my device work harder for me and make my life a little bit easier. Isn’t that part of its purpose, after all?

If you are looking to get more out of your technology, see what you can learn through Solution Central at Best Buy. There are many FREE services offered, and it isn’t even necessary for you to have made your technology purchase with Best Buy in order to make use of Solution Central (I purchased my iPhone at the AT&T store, for example).

If you need repair services, know that those are also available through Solution Central, though there is a cost for this type of service. My experience with the technology class, though, was very positive and there was absolutely NO talk of the paid services provided (so you aren’t given any sort of sales pitch while you are there). Current topics for the technology classes include the following:

Windows 8
What’s New with Apps
Different Operating Systems
How to Watch TV on you Phone

Definitely check out your nearest Solution Central at Best Buy to learn some great new tips and tricks or to get some help with questions you have about products you already own.

Just don’t be surprised if you find your significant other sneaking over to the Wii station for a quick game!

I have been compensated for my time conducting this review in the form of a Best Buy gift card. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Get Excited About Bedtime! Shushybye 3 DVD Set GIVEAWAY!!!

January 30, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 57 Comments

A year and a half ago, I did a review of Shushybye products (a book and a cd). I was not previously familiar with the characters of Shushybye, but Darah immediately enjoyed them and they prompted lots of great discussions about going to sleep and why getting plenty of rest is so very important.

I don’t think it is a complete coincidence to note, here, that Darah is an EXCELLENT sleeper. 🙂

Shushybye Baby recently debuted its new season of episodes on BabyFirst, which is a television destination focused on parent-child interactive entertainment. In celebration of the new season, they have released a 3 DVD collection of Shushybye Baby, which contains 26 episodes, 56 Shushybye music videos and a total of 60 original Shushybye songs! The set retails for $29.98 and can be ordered online.

I sat down to watch some of Shushybye Baby with Darah. It has an interesting mix of live characters both in and out of costume. Music is definitely a focus of the shows, and the theme often repeated is about getting ready and excited for bedtime. If you have a little one that puts up a fuss when it is time to end the day, Shushybye Baby might be a great choice for your next DVD to bring home. Darah asks to watch it frequently!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win the Shushybye 3 DVD collection!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

I received complimentary products for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Win a Case of Sulfate-Free Shampoo! (ARV $264)

January 30, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 17 Comments

sfreemoist-2T Did you know that I have ditched traditional shampoos and conditioners in favor of more natural products? It is true! My hair looks healthier and doesn’t feel as dirty quite as fast since making the switch. I use a handmade baking soda rinse and apple cider vinegar rinse, and I also use some organic shampoos and conditioners. No sulfates for my hair or my water, thank you very much!

That’s why I’m excited to introduce you to Healthy Hair Plus’ Sfree Moisture Shampoo. I think this is a particularly exciting product because it addresses my chief complaint about using more natural hair products: my hair can feel REALLY dry sometimes after using them.

This shampoo is also designed to be loved by sensitive scalps AND for chemically treated hair. So basically, it is the perfect shampoo. Just sayin’.

Would you like to win a bottle of Sfree Moisture Shampoo?

How about a CASE?????
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win it!: One lucky person is going to win 12 bottles of Healthy Hair Plus Sfree Moisture Shampoo! Here is the product page: :

Good luck, everyone!

Thanks to Healthy Hair Plus for sponsoring this giveaway post. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Free Access to over 300 Children’s Books! And an IPad Mini GIVEAWAY!!!

January 29, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 2 Comments

Less is More….Except for Books

As you probably know if you have been reading my blog for a while, my house is on the small side. We have 1400 square feet for a family of 4. That means that we have to put our stuff under scrutiny every once in a while to make sure it doesn’t get completely out of control. I make a trip to my favorite thrift store about once a month to drop off several bags of donations.

Darah has already learned how to be very practical when looking at her stuff. This is an ability that I’m quite proud to be instilling in her. I remember pitching huge fits when my parents would try to get me to let go of toys long forgotten. I want Darah to be able to let go and move on, and even to be glad to share with others.

But there’s one are where I’m not a ruthless weeder, and that is with her books. She has well over 150 and I’m perfectly fine with that. I want her to always have stories at her fingertips, very easily accessible, and I want her to see the joy in reading not just one book each night, but several. Darah is even enjoying getting to read her old board books again now that they are in her little sister’s room.

Meeting Kids in Their (Digital) Space

As much as I love for Darah’s book shelf to be overflowing, I also need to think about how her generation is going to learn and grow. E-readers are going to be the norm in her school in just a few years. Hard copies of books will be a bit of a novelty! Since Darah is already extremely savvy with how to use an iPad, I’m excited to have found a way to bring a whole library of books her way on the device.

Let me introduce you to Bookboard. This site makes it easy to read with your child, and as she learns how, for your child to read on her own. Bookboard has an extensive collection of online chapter and picture books designed for kids from pre-reading all the way to age 12. While the site is still in its early stages, already it has over 300 books available, and it is growing every day.

I just signed up for an account for Darah, and it was extremely easy. Even though I have a first generation iPad, which is not ideal for Bookboard, it still works well enough that I will be using the site. Bookboard is a very engaging way for Darah and I to spend time together reading. The books are more interactive in a digital format. Bookboard is also a great way for us to try out some chapter books, which Darah is starting to enjoy.

Perhaps what I love the most about Bookboard, though, is the fact that children can be encouraged to strive to read more difficult books. As you complete books, other books will become unlocked and available. The more you read, the more choices you have for what to read next! Parents are easily able to log in and see what progress their kids have made reading, and this is an especially nice feature if you can’t always been with your child during story time. You can even share your child’s accomplishments as they unlock new books with your friends via Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest!

Here’s a quick video that shows more about how Bookboard works. It’s totally worth the 90 seconds, I promise!

GIVEAWAY!

And now for the REALLY good news: anyone who signs up for Bookboard between now and February 11th and reads a book will be entered into a drawing for an iPad mini (which, of course, you can use to read books on Bookboard!). When you sign up, you’ll receive one month of completely free access to Bookboard (along with access to those 300+ books). There’s nothing at all to lose except for some great literary adventures with your kids. Rules and details for the giveaway can be found at Bookboard.com.

This post is sponsored by Bookboard. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Veggie Tales Movie: Lettuce Love One Another Review

January 28, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 111 Comments

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Veggie Tales has released a fantastic new DVD that features 3 stories focused on how we can be examples of love to one another. It’s called Lettuce Love One Another. There are 3 great stories in the collection, along with 5 short vignettes where Bob the Tomato shares scriptures the discuss the importance of showing love through sharing, forgiving, praying, helping and giving.

I have found the stories to be great platforms for discussion with Darah about what it means to be kind to others. I definitely recommend watching these episodes with your kids so that you can be on hand to talk about what they are seeing and learning. Fortunately, Veggie Tales makes it easy to watch because each episode is so funny! Lettuce Love One Another is priced very nicely on Amazon right now…just $9.99!

In addition to having a fantastic new DVD out, Veggie Tales also has a FANTASTIC website that I want to suggest you check out. It is chock full of games for your kids to play, as well as coloring pages to print out and stories to read. Darah has enjoyed poking around with me there, and I definitely recommend that you show it to your little ones on your next rainy day!

Edit: This giveaway is closed

Win it! One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a copy of Lettuce Love One Another from Veggie Tales!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Shutterfly Offers Personalized Valentine’s Day Cards! (GIVEAWAY!!!)

January 25, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 75 Comments

Does anyone else out there remember the year in grade school when you switched from having 4 or 5 parties each year in the classroom to only having 1 or 2? For me, that year was 4th grade. It REALLY stunk. My teacher was a very matter-of-fact lady and informed us that we were too old to need parties all the time and that it was time to be more practical with our time.

We were 9, y’all.

What I missed most of all that year was the Valentine’s Day party. I used to give EXTREMELY careful thought to which person in my class received which Valentine from me. Let’s face it, I didn’t have any grown up responsibilities, so I could spend hours contemplating whether or not I wanted to ask someone to “be mine.” I would do the same thing with the conversation hearts I would give away. The message on them had to be just right! For someone who likes getting certain things in life perfect, Valentine’s Day was a real treat. Ha!

Fortunately for me, I had teachers after fourth grade who paid no attention to the “no extra parties” rule the principal made and let us have little celebrations for most every holiday, even if they weren’t elaborate and didn’t require the homeroom parent to coordinate it.

Now it is time for Darah to get started with her Valentine’s Day cards for her classmates. Did you know that there is a great alternative to those cards that everyone buys at big box stores? You can get something much more personalized (and WAY cuter) through Shutterfly! Check out how adorable this is!

In addition to bigger cards that are perfect to send to close friends and family, Shutterfly also offers the smaller 4×5 cards, which is what we will be handing out to classmates. I like that Shutterfly has over 50 new styles from which to choose, so there is something perfect for everyone. You can choose from 6×8, 5×7, 4×8, 5×5 or 4×5 to ensure you get just the right look for the right audience.

Shutterfly really has thought of everything when it comes to special occasions and potential photo gifts. I just learned that they have (the one I have now that I purchased through a Groupon totally stinks…gotta get a new one soon). I could get one with my girls on it, or even compile those special moments into a personalized photo album as a keepsake. And if you haven’t seen their , those are a must-see. They are really affordable and have a very sleek, professional look. They are absolutely perfect for an office! I’m thinking of doing that as a Valentine’s Day gift for daddy from his girls.

Whether you are looking for unique cards for a classroom party or for something more personalized for a loved one, Shutterfly has got you covered this Valentine’s Day.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win the following gifts from Shutterfly:

50 – 4×5 Stationery Cards
1 – 5.5×5.5 Desktop Plaque

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will be receiving the same items as listed in the giveaway as a thank you for my time. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

First Finger Foods: Earth’s Best Yogurt Puffs (GIVEAWAY!!!)

January 25, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 68 Comments

Layah has been demonstrating that pincer grasp that parents should watch for as an indicator that it is time to try solid foods. She’s also been seeming extra hungry lately, so I’ve been doing some thinking about what I want to offer her as those first foods she picks up and eats on her own.

I tried mango chopped into small pieces, but she spit it right back out! Mango is my favorite fruit, so I was personally offended by her response. 😉

I decided that I needed something less slippery to grasp and very easy to “chew” once in her mouth (after all, the poor thing only has 2 teeth!).

That’s when I remembered that I had some great puffs from Earth’s Best in the pantry. In fact, I had just received some Yogurt Puffs, which is a new product in the Earth’s Best line.

Before giving them the green light, I read the back of the package to see if it was recommended for infants. Based on the feeding information it provided, it seemed to pass the test, as Layah has been crawling for a while and shows an interest and picking things up and putting them into her mouth (especially things that AREN’T edible!).

I was also a bit worried about whether or not this product would be too sugary. So I tasted them. They definitely have a sweet taste, but it is very mild. I checked the ingredient label, and organic cane syrup is ingredient number 4. I decided that wasn’t so bad, and opted to offer her the blueberry yogurt puffs along with some veggie puffs.

I really like how quickly the puffs melt in your mouth. If you don’t have many teeth and if you are still learning how to chew food before swallowing it, this is very helpful! While I always sit with Layah while she is eating, I do not worry that she is going to choke on these puffs.

Earth’s Best Yogurt Puffs are an excellent choice for a snack or even as part of a meal for your little one. I had forgotten that once babies are ready to start practicing feeding themselves that they can be quite entertained by the food on their trays. This provides me with a great opportunity to do a little bit of computer work or sorting through the mail while she plays with her food.

And cleanup is totally easy. Since the puffs are dry, I’m not dealing with nasty spills on the floor once feeding time is over. The vacuum can take care of the debris in just a few seconds.

Earth’s Best Yogurt Puffs come in two flavors: blueberry and peach. The blueberry is excellent and I’m looking forward to trying out the peach. I definitely recommend them as a great option for snack time, for self-feeding practice, and for travel, as they are highly portable. Plus, they are a good source of Iron, Zinc, six different B vitamins, A & E Vitamins and Calcium. And of course, they are made with organic ingredients. What’s not to love?

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win Earth’s Best Yogurt Puffs in Blueberry and Peach!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

I am a blog ambassador for Earth’s Best, and as such I have received complimentary products as a thank you for my time. All thoughts and opinions express here are strictly my own.

Hot at Night? How a Pillow Kept Me from Sweating

January 21, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 304 Comments

I usually sleep with 2-3 pillows. I think it feels terrible to sleep with just one! Anyone else feel that way, as well? I’ve been sleeping this way for years and years (as long as I can remember, actually). I’ve always thought that it was a more comfortable way to sleep, and so I have resisted changing that.

But Tim believes it is one of the reasons that my neck always hurts. I chalk my neck pain up to just getting older. But if I really think about it, I’ve had neck pain for probably 5 years or so. Hmmm….

In addition to my neck pain, I sometimes deal with getting hot while sleeping. We use down comforters, which are SOOO comfortable. But here in the South, temperatures can fluctuate and it can get warm at the drop of a hat. For example, last weekend a warm front came through and we had 2 days where temperatures were in the 70s.

In January!!!

But guess what? I slept like a baby rather than waking up sweating and hot. It’s all because of a new pillow I’m using (just one pillow, not three!). And you guys. I am in love. Big time. As in, I want to marry this pillow.

Comfort Revolution has a Hydraluxe Cooling Bed Pillow that combines memory foam and a refreshing gel layer that helps keep your head and neck nice and cool. If you ever deal with night sweats, this pillow will make them ancient history!

I’ve never slept on any sort of memory foam before. Basically the pillow cradles your head to give you great support. It feels nothing short of amazing. And as for the cooling gel, I was actually worried that it would feel uncomfortable this time of year. Would it leave me feeling cold? Because I don’t want to feel cold at night! But no, that was not my experience at all. It felt nice and cool, but not cold. It made me feel very relaxed and comfortable.

Tim also really likes the pillow. I usually wake up a few hours before him every day to start my work day. I have noticed that he makes use of my new Comfort Revolution pillow between my wake up time and his wake up time. Honestly, I don’t blame him Just look at the difference between our two pillows! His pillow is lumpy and the cotton inside isn’t evenly distributed.

The Hydraluxe Pillow by Comfort Revolution is a bit of an investment, costing $79.99 for a standard pillow (though it is currently on mega sale for $43 on Amazon! Eee!). I’m not one to spend a lot of money on much of anything. But after sleeping on this pillow for a week, I can say with confidence that I will NEVER be going back to cheap, crappy pillows. I have already put my old pillows in a donation pile and I am going to save up to get another one of these pillows for Tim. He deserves to get as good of a night’s sleep as I am currently getting.

Did I mention that my neck pain is greatly reduced? I don’t think 5 years of neck pain will disappear overnight, but I have noticed a significant improvement, which makes me SOOO happy!

I also think this would be a great pillow for anyone who lives in warmer climates. My in-laws live in the desert in Southern California. They should most definitely have this pillow. I actually think they should consider getting the Gel Pad for the entire bed. What an amazing difference that would make for sleep when the temperature is consistently in the 90s or higher, even at night!

I highly HIGHLY recommend this pillow for anyone who has trouble being comfortable at night, either due to being hot at night or due to having terrible pillows. It makes such a huge difference in how you feel throughout the day if you have had a great night of sleep. Between Layah starting to sleep through the night and replacing my pillow heap with this one, I feel like a different person.

Overwhelmed by iPad Apps for Kids? Help is On the Way!

January 18, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

I recently asked readers to name their children’s favorite apps. I was really amazed to see that there were very few duplicate responses. In other words, there were as many different “favorite” apps as there were respondents!

I almost completely rely on bloggers to showcase great new apps that I should consider. If it isn’t blogged about, it is really hard for it to come up on my radar.

That’s a shame, because I’m definitely missing out on some great stuff! Over the past week, I’ve been thumbing through a REALLY helpful book and I have all sorts of apps on my wishlist now. The book is called iPad Apps For Kids For Dummies. It categorizes apps by subject and by age range and gives you full color examples of what the app will look like.

This book also has some great tips for using the iPad with kids, such as how to set a password lock so that your kids cannot grab the iPad and get into who knows what without you even knowing that got online.

I’m also amazed at how much detail the reviewer goes into for each app. I feel as though I get enough helpful information to really understand if purchasing the app makes sense for my family. While apps tend not to be very expensive purchases, they most definitely can add up, and throwing away $1.99 stops sitting well with you after you do it a few times!

iPad Apps For Kids For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) is bargain priced on Amazon at just $11.29. It will help you save at least that much money on apps that turn out to be duds, and it will show you tons of apps you’ve never heard of but that you will want to purchase!

How do you find apps for your kids? Read blog reviews? Rely on recommendations from friends? Stumble upon them in the iTunes store?

I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.