GoodyBlog

Spankin' New Headlines

Grocery shocker: Some foods on store shelves are mislabeled, neglecting to mention potential allergens. Chicago Tribune

Injuries make up almost half of all childhood deaths in the U.S., and plenty of those are preventable, finds a new CDC report. Washington Post

Why it’s not such a good idea to schedule your delivery around the holidays. Wall Street Journal

Having fast food restaurants in walking distance from schools is a recipe for obesity, a new study says. Yahoo! News

Judge in Saudi Arabia rules that an 8-year-old girl must remain married to a 47-year-old man. CNN

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Still Shopping?

If you're looking for last-minute gifts for girlfriends, mother-in-laws and babysitters, look no further than the Body Shop. Today and tomorrow they'll be having a buy one get one free sale on all holiday gifts ( my fave seasonal scent is Vanilla Spice, mmm). Not only will your gifts be wallet-friendly, they'll also be eco-friendly: the Body Shop uses recycled materials in their packaging, Community Trade ingredients in their formulas and plans to go carbon neutral by 2010. Now that's something to feel jolly about!

'Fess up: who's gonna be battling traffic to get to the mall tomorrow to wrap up holiday shopping?

Good Deed Friday: Ikea Softies for Everyone!

Ikea will donate $1 for every (incredibly cute) plush toy you buy to Unicef and Save the Children through Dec. 24. Projects run by the two organizations aim to improve children’s education worldwide. Barnslig Kamel loves the idea (and he's only $5.99)!

Friday Night Movies [Holiday Edition]

Holiday-Break Big-Screen Goodies:
This week only you get TWO Friday Night Movies posts for the price of one! Actually, I'm just going to Georgia for the holidays, and I'll be sitting on my mom's couch, drinking a ton of eggnog this time next  Friday, so I thought it best to let you know now about all the fun family flicks coming out over the next two weeks. First up is the movie adaptation of The Tale of Despereaux (rated G). Based on Kate DiCamillo's award-winning book, the film follows the adventures of a tiny mouse with big ears–and a heart to match. For Christmas day, you can choose between Jennifer Aniston's heart-tugging, hound-loving Marley & Me (PG) and Adam Sandler's kiddie-fantasy comedy, Bedtime Stories (PG). Happy Viewing Holidays!
    

Holiday-Break DVD Goodies:

Beethoven's Big Break

The Cheetah Girls: One World

The Goldilocks and the 3 Bears Show

The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea

Merry Christmas, Drake and Josh!

Power Rangers: Jungle Fury - Into the Jungle

Power Rangers: Jungle Fury - Way of the Maste

Tiny Planets: Bing Bong Bell

Transformers: Energon Ultimate Collection 

WordWorld: The Race to Mystery Island

   

What's on Kourtney's Christmas List?

Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

    

The Put-Your-Kids-to-Bed-First Pick of the Week:

Mamma Mia! The Movie

          
The Put-Your-Kids-to-Bed-First Pick of Next Week:

The Duchess

         

Super Savings!!!

The products at Oeuf are to-die-for adorable and fabulously unique, but they're not always budget-friendly. Which is why I was psyched to find out that the lovely doodads in their "goodies" section are 30 percent off! Just enter the coupon code: SANTA at checkout to save on last minute holiday gifts. I think these animals masks are so fun, and what baby wouldn't look like an angel in these slippers?

Friday Night Movies

This Week's DVD Goody:

I like watching Horton Hears a Who on DVD. In fact, I like watching it in a box. I like watching it with a fox. I like watching it with a mouse. I like watching it in a house. I like watching it here or there. I like it watching it anywhere. Sorry, I think I was channeling Dr. Seuss for a minute there. All better now. So, what's your favorite Seuss movie or book to share with your kids? Post a comment below (rhyming text optional) to let us know!

           
This Week's Big-Screen Goody:

Delgo (rated PG)

More Kid-Friendly DVDs:

Adventures of Sonic the HedgeHog, Vol. 2

Christmas Classics Collection

Jane and the Dragon: Dragon Rules

Peter and the Wolf

The Put-Your-Kids-to-Bed-First Picks of the Week:

The Dark Knight

Lost: The Complete Fourth Season

         

Online Tips Part II: Shop Without Getting Scammed

Reading up on charity scams brought me to a few more tips from McAfee that, frankly, I’d feel bad not sharing. Without further ado, things to do before you shop online:
1.)    Check out the site. It’s not often that I stray from Amazon or Zappos, but if I’m hunting down, say, a vinyl-to-digital recording device that’s only available from obscure DJ equipment sites (Flashback to my dad’s gift two years ago, now they’re quite common.) I always feel a little leery ordering. If you find yourself in the same situation, get the contact info and call before ordering. You can also actually read the privacy policy (No I have never done this, but I think it’s a fantastic idea.) and make sure they have a decent refund policy posted on the site.
2.)    Pay by credit card. You’re protected by the law and liable only for $50 if your credit-card number is stolen and used. Getting cash back from debit cards is not as easy.
3.)    Make sure the site uses encryption. Look for a key or closed locked displayed in the web browser or check the URL address. It should begin with https://, not just http://. Note, that “s” won’t show up until after you click the “proceed to checkout” button, but before you enter any personal info.
4.)    Check your credit card statement and the package itself right away to make sure you got what you wanted at the right price.
Photo via.

Friday Night Movies

This Week's DVD Goody:

It's December 5th, and most people are counting down the shopping days already. Me? I'm more concerned with fitting in all my favorite Christmas classics. I mean, 20 days is not a lot of time to pull off multiple A Christmas Story marathons, complete with my "You'll put your eye out!" imitation. Am I right, or am I right? And that doesn't even include squeezing in the rest of my seasonal buddies: the Grinch, Scrooge, Frosty, Rudolph, or Charlie Brown. Now that you know I'm a Ralphie groupie, it's your turn to 'fess up! What's your favorite movie to watch with the family during the holidays? Post a comment below to place your vote.

More Kid-Friendly DVDs:

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Curious George: Leads the Band and Other Musical Mayhem

Fly Me to the Moon (3D)

Hey There, It's Yogi Bear

Hi-5 Season One

The Land Before Time: Friends Forever

The Longshots

The Man Called Flintstone

       

The Put-Your-Kids-to-Bed-First Picks of the Week:

Step Brothers

The X-Files: I Want to Believe

Wanted

                    

This Clock Lays Eggs

I’m on a never ending mission to become a pleasant morning person. Maybe this chicken clock can do the trick. When the alarm goes off, five eggs drop into the mini-basket. The only way to turn it off is to place all five back in the top of the chicken. Yes, it comes with an extra egg.
Has anyone tried a gadgety alarm clock like this? I know there are runaway clocks and puzzle clocks out there too. But I feel like I’d be less likely to actually get angry at this one. It’s too cute.

Friday Night Movies

This Week's DVD Goody (Guilty-Pleasure Edition):
I have a confession to make. I'm in love with a doctor (Calm down, Mom--it's not that kind of doctor). My crush is on the lead character of the cult British hit, Dr. Who. In fact, the new Doctor Who: The Complete Fourth Series tops my Christmas wish-list this year (Got that, Santa!). But now my inner fangirl can geek out even more because the show just got animated. Doctor Who: The Infinite Quest is a fun way to get your kids hooked on this campy cool sci-fi series. 

    

 This Week's Big-Screen Goodies:

Bolt (rated PG)

Twilight (rated PG-13)

 

    

        

 More Kid-Friendly DVDs:

Bear Snores On & More Beary Adorable Tales 

Fairly Odd Parents: Season 6, Vol. 1

 

Hannah Montana: The Complete First Season

   

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 

 

Spongebob Squarepants: Season 5, Vol. 2

 

Treasury of 20 Storybook Classics

Wall-E

        

The Put-Your-Kids-to-Bed-First Pick of the Week:

Tropic Thunder (Unrated Director's Cut)