Get the Best Gas Prices in Your Area

We all know that gas prices are high and we don't like it one bit. But how can we save money on gas. Well, you can buy a hybrid car, carpool, or take public transportation. Or you can use a cool website that let's you know the lowest and highest priced gas stations in your area.

Gasbuddy.com is a network of websites where you can type in your zip code and find the least expensive gas station in your area. If you work outside the zip code you live in, you can always enter that zip code as well to possibly find a good deal in that area as well.

And maybe if we frequent the cost effective stations, the more expensive gas stations will have to lower their prices to compete. Hey, we can use supply and demand to our advantage, too!

Surprise Giveaway: Stay-dry Bath Apron and Towel

If I have told you once, I am telling you for the third time that if you have an infant (or are going to have one very soon!) you have to try the Stay-dry Bath Apron and Towel.

When I first saw it, I thought it was a clever idea. But now that I use it every night, I have a story to tell you why you can't live without one.

I should say that I use my Stay-dry Bath Apron and Towel nearly every night. A couple of weeks ago, there was that night when my Stay-dry was in the wash, so I had to use a hooded towel for my daughter. While the hooded towel is very cute and doesn't a great job drying her, it provides me with no protection.

When I say no protection, I mean no protection from the waves of water that get splashed my way now that my daughter has decided to become a soccer star while in the bath (Mia Hamm, watch out!). She drenched me with water from my tummy down my thighs, and the first thing I thought when this happened, "I wish I had been wearing my Stay-dry." This water crisis would have been adverted and I wouldn't have had to change my clothes right after my daughter had I been wearing it.

Do I wear my Stay-dry Bath Apron and Towel every night now...You better believe it!

If you aren't pregnant or don't have a baby, make yourself the hero of an expectant friend. The Stay-dry also makes a fantastic baby shower gift

Hamco, the maker of the Stay-dry Bath Apron and Towel, wants to keep you all dry out there, too. Hamco would like to give away a Stay-Dry Apron and Towel to (2) lucky Houses, Couches, and Babies readers. (retail value $19.99).

Here's how to enter:

• Post a comment right here telling us why you would like to win the Stay-dry Bath Apron and Towel
  
• In your comment, please be sure to include your name (or blogger name) as well as your city/state/country (anonymous comments will not be accepted; obviously because we won't know who you are!)


• Post your comment by midnight PST on Sunday, March 2nd.

The winner will be announced some time after March 2nd, so please keep checking back to see if you are a winner!

THE WINNER WILL NOT BE CONTACTED...SO KEEP CHECKING BACK!!!

Good Luck!

Unsolicited Advice Contest at Chic Mommie

I have come across a very fun contest for all new mommies and mommies-to-be out there. Chic Mommie is holding a contest asking for the best unsolicited advice stories. I am sure you have at least one or two pieces of advice that you would be willing to share...so go for it.

Visit ChicMommie and leave your best unsolicited advice story as a comment by March 7th. (3) lucky winners will receive a New Mommie Oath tee valued at $23.oo (pictured above).

Tell your story, you deserve to get it off your chest!

6 Minute Step Aerobics

With an infant in the house, I take a workout when I can get it...even if it is for a short period of time. With #1, I was able to exercise outside alot because he was born in the Spring. But having a baby in the winter limits your options.

So this is what I have been doing to get back into shape: the 6 minute step aerobics workout. I don't leave my house. I hold my infant the entire time. All you need is one step up in your house and you, too, can do this workout.

I was initially just looking for a way to get my baby to fall asleep, but when I started sweating (and feeling the burn!) I thought this would be a great little workout. Basically, all I do is continue going up and down one step until my baby has fallen asleep.

If you want to get fancy and target certain areas, you can do leg extensions and stuff like that, but a basic step up, step down will do the trick. Not to mention you are holding an extra 6-14 pound weight, so you are getting some decent resistance as well. To prevent back strain, you can put your infant in a baby carrier like the Baby Bjorn.

Try it, you might like the results!

Oh, and click here to find ways to lose your mommy tummy.

Photos courtesy of meetup.com and gymboree.com

Winner - Get in Shape with Joggermom.com: Surprise Giveaway!!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered the Get in Shape with Joggermom.com Giveaway. And thank you to Joggermom.com for having so many great products to choose from!

The lucky winner is....Rachie S. from Cincinnati who wrote, " I like the Baby Jogger City Series Cherry Red Double Stroller because it looks sporty and I have twins!"

Rachie S., please contact us at information@housescouchesandbabies.com with your shipping address so that we can send you your JJCole Bundle Me Urban!

If you didn't win this contest, it's okay. Joggermom.com is extending a 10% discount to all Houses, Couches and Babies readers now through March 1st. Just enter "mamas" at checkout.

Also, many of you commented on how much you liked the Stroll-a-Tune. If you are one of those people, you are going to want to keep checking back here at Houses, Couches, and Babies because we may be having a giveaway for that fun gadget in the near future (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).

Stay tuned...many more fun giveaways are coming your way!

How Do You Meet Other Moms?

Okay, so this is more of a question for me because I have had a tough time meeting other moms in my area. I would say this is mostly because I really haven't put myself out there to meet other moms...I like the friends I have, okay!

But the problem I am finding is that while my close friends do not live in close proximity and that is okay with me, I don't have many little friends for my son to play with on a daily basis since I don't know other moms in the area well enough.

So here are some suggestions I found in Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine:

• Take a class: If pregnant, try a prenatal exercise class; if baby's already here, check out your local parks and recreation department, join a mom and baby movement or music class, or join Stroller Strides (walking exercise with your baby)


• Check out national organizations: Mothers and More (mothersandmore.org); The International MOMS Club (momsclub.org); and Mothers of Preschoolers or MOPS International (mops.org)


• Socialize: If you attend a class or group, arrive early and linger afterwards to try and get to know some other moms. If you are a little shy about collecting other mothers' digits, then ask for email addresses.


• Do it yourself: If you aren't satisfied with mommy companionship online or in your area, start your own group. Post flyer at the library, post a notice in your church bulletin


• Think beyond baby: When you build relationships with other moms, you don't just have to do baby/kid stuff with them. Babies are portable, so bring them with you to something you enjoy like going to a museum, book group, or shopping at the mall (always my favorite!)
  
• Keep an open mind: Every mom you meet isn't going to be just like you, but you don't have to focus on your differences. Focus on what you have in common. You know you have at least one thing in common...motherhood!

What suggestions do you have?

What is a Short Sale?

I keep hearing the term "short sale" used when the discussion turns to the nose-diving housing market. I have always gone with the flow of the conversation, understanding that a short sale isn't a good situation for the seller, but I pretty much assumed it meant the house had to be sold quickly....WRONG!!!

A short sale is the lender is accepting less than the total amount due A Short Sale occurs when a homes sales value is less then the outstanding mortgage debt plus sales costs, and the mortgage bank(s) has agreed to write off a portion of the outstanding loan debt in order to consummate the sale.

So basically a short sale has nothing to do with time. You can think of "short" as the lender is willing to take an amount "short" of the amount borrowed on the house.

If you are about to lose your house to foreclosure, a short sale is something you can ask your lender to agree to. A short sale isn't a good situation for you or your credit, but it isn't as bad as a foreclosure. From what I understand, it would be like getting a "D" on a math test instead of an "F."

For more information on short sales or foreclosures, check out Mortgage Daily News.

Photo courtesy of realestatedoneright.info.

Hostess Blog: A Real Simple Fave

As I was perusing the latest issue of Real Simple magazine, I was elated to see that one of my favorite blogs, Hostess Blog, was named one of the best blogs around. If you haven't checked out Hostess Blog yet, you are certainly missing out. The ideas on this blog are amazing...from sweet treats like the cupcakes above, to fabulous party themes, Hostess Blog will make you the best entertainer...or atleast entertained!

What is even better is the amazing website - HostesswiththeMostess.com - that is the ultimate entertaining resource. If you are throwing a party, or even just thinking about throwing a party, you must comb this website for all of its great ideas. If you aren't even thinking about throwing a party, you will want to after you see the beautiful ideas and designs. (I just get happy looking at all the beautiful set-ups!)

My hat goes off to Hip Hostess...you really are doing something great!

Get in Shape with Joggermom.com: Surprise Giveaway!!

Depending on where you live, you may be experiencing some mild weather right now, or you may be experiencing the coldest weather so far this winter! If there is one thing you are noticing, it is that the days are lasting a little longer...and you know what that means...Spring is near!

But no matter what time of year it is, we should be able to get in shape, right? But how can you do that with kids?

Joggermom.com to the rescue!

Joggermom.com is a fabulous website that has anything and everything you are going to need to cart around your precious little ones. Naturally, strollers are a staple on the website, but you can find so many cool accessories as well. From rain and sun covers to drink holders to diaper bag essentials, Joggermom.com has it all.

For mothers in Southern California, Joggermom will even set up a test run for whatever stroller you would like...how amazing is that?!?

Plus, you receive free shipping in 48 states for orders over $100...which can make a huge difference when you are buying that $300 stroller!

And if you are expecting, you can even register at Joggermom.com and let all your friends know exactly what you need!

A fantastic product that we could all use right now is the JJCole Urban Bundle Me (shown above). The Urban Bundle Me makes traveling with baby a pleasure by eliminating the need for jackets and blankets that need constant adjusting. Baby will be comfortably surrounded by the soft microsuede lining, while the wind and water resistant outer nylon protects from the weather. The Urban Bundle Me is so versatile and can be used with car seats, strollers, joggers and bike trailers.

And guess what? Joggermom.com is giving away (1) JJCole infant Urban Bundle Me (color: stealthas shown below; $49.95) a lucky Houses, Couches, and Babies reader!

Here's how to enter:

Check out the Joggermom.com website and post a comment below to let us know which product you like the best and why.

Post your comment by midnight PST on Sunday, February 17th.

In your comment, please be sure to include your name (or blogger name) and your city/state/country (anonymous comments will not be accepted).

Also, if you would like to be added to the Joggermom.com mailing list, please either leave your email address in your comment or send an email to info@joggermom.com requesting to be added to the mailing list.

The winner will be announced in a post sometime after February 17th, so you must keep checking back to see if you won. Even if you don't win, a special discount code for Joggermom.com will be offered after the giveaway ends.

THE WINNER WILL NOT BE CONTACTED...SO KEEP CHECKING BACK!!!

New Kids Update

For all you New Kids on the Block fans (yes, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, I am talking to you!), this is the latest update on NKOTB.com. (I signed up for updates for all of you...not for me! :>)

I think they are trying to gauge what kind of response they would get from fans if they made a comeback...so far, so good!

And why did Danny Wood put on his MySpace page that he knows of no reunion? When I find out, I will let you know!

Sports Trivia Friday - One of the Most Uneventful Sports Weekends Ever!

The weekend after the Super Bowl tends to be one of the most uneventful sports' weekends of the year. But here are a few jems to wow the ones you love.

Okay, if you missed it...the NY Giants won the Super Bowl. It was a huge upset win over the 18-0 New England Patriots, but I guess they had to lose sometime. Eli Manning was named MVP of the Super Bowl. If you are keeping count, that is two Super Bowl MVP's in a row for a Manning...too bad it isn't the same one. (Big Brother Peyton won the MVP last year.) Although Maning got this prestigous award, many would contend that the Giant defense should have won the MVP award. But since the defense isn't just one person, they didn't win.

Here is a question any true football fan would be impressed with...So how do you think Tiki Barber is feeling now that the Giants won the Super Bowl? (Background info: Tiki Barber was a NY Giant last year, but retired to be a sports commentator and bagged on Manning and Tom Coughlin - the head coach - saying that Manning wasn't a good leader and Coughlin was a terrible coach to play for. Soap Opera material...I know!)

Two other quick things of interest this weekend...

The AT&T Pro-Am Golf Tournament is being played at Pebble Beach this weekend. Tiger Woods is not playing in this tournament so it is up in the air for anyone to win. Celebrities of note playing in this tournament (the amateurs a.k.a. the "Am" in Pro-Am) are George Lopez, Huey Lewis, Carson Daly, Ray Romano, Michael Bolton, Dan Marino, and -back the truck up - JOSH DUHAMEL!!! (Maybe it is not to late to show great interest in golf and ask your husband if you can go to this wonderful tournament! (Or at least a reason to sit and watch on Saturday!)

In the world of basketball, Shaquille O'Neal was traded from the Miami Heat to the Phoenix Suns. He certainly isn't the player he was a few years ago, but the guy still has to make money. How else is he going to pay for the $200,000 a month he spends on gas for his cars, boats, etc.???

Photos courtesy of attpbgolf.com and google.com

Eat This, Not That!

Last week, while I was watching Ellen (a luxury while #1 is napping), I saw a great book that I definitely want to run out and buy (perhaps while #2 is strapped to me in the Baby Bjorn because that is where she always seems to be these days).

The book is called Eat This Not That: Thousands of Simple Food Swaps That Can Save You 10, 20, 30 Pounds-or More!. It is written by an editor from Men's Fitness magazine and he basically writes about different options you have at restaurants and at home. He shows you what you are best off eating.

Here are a few examples:

At Dunkin' Donuts:
Ham, egg and cheese english muffin - 310 calories, 10grams of fat,
Multigrain bagel with 2oz. of lite cream cheese - 500 calories, 15 grams of fat!!!

Oscar Meyer turkey bacon and regular bacon both have 70 calories 6 grams of fat. But regular bacon contains 290mg of sodium while turkey bacon has 380mg of sodium...isn't that crazy?!?!

At Ruby Tuesdays:
Top sirloin steak with green beans and mushrooms - 464 calories, 24 grams of fat
Veggie Burger - 953 calories, 52 grams of fat

Starbucks:
Venti Strawberries and Creme Frappuccino - 750 calories, 120 grams of sugar
White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino Lite - 280 calories, 40 grams of sugar

This book sounds like the guide we have always wanted. I mean, come on, something that tells us to eat regular bacon instead of turkey bacon!) Check it out to see what other surprises they found...

Michael's Cookies Giveaway Winners

Wow! You really like cookies! And why shouldn't you...the cookies from Michael's Cookies are fabulous. As you know, Michael's Cookies was giving away two prizes this week so here are the lucky winners as chosen by my 2-1/2 year old (again, blame him if you didn't win!):

(1) dozen Triple Chocolate Chunk cookies go to mblevinsnc@gmail.com who said, "My goodness I just drooled all over my keyboard. I was checking out the Cappuccino Chocolate Chunk cookies,Fudge Nut Brownie Cookies and Triple Chocolate Chunk.They look so soft,so chocolicious and so yummy! Thank you for hosting this delicious giveaway."

The Gold Collection gift featuring 2 dozen cookies with cocoas and teas goes to j4jac who said, "What a wonderful idea! I love the idea of giving Cookies instead of chocolates. I scouted out the website and I am very impressed with the wholegrain cookie selection.. I would love to (keep them all to myself).. I mean share them with my husband. One other thing I would like to comment about the fact that these delicious cookies are kosher! Way to go! Bring on the Wholegrain Pomegranate Chunky Chocolate Cookies!! YUMM YUMM."

Lucky winners, please contact us at information@housescouchesandbabies.com with your shipping address so that we can send you your Michael's Cookies no later than 5pm PST, February 12.

Stay tuned for many other great giveaways!

Happy Super Bowl

Having a get together for the Super Bowl? Be sure to check out Hostess With the Mostess for tons of cute food and decoration ideas!

Sports Trivia Friday

So this weekend is pretty simple...Super Bowl XLII is being played in Glendale, Arizona. The New England Patriots take on the New York Giants. But here are some general Super Bowl trivia questions to impress anyone you are watching the game with...

Q. Which team has been to the Superbowl the most often?
A. Three way tie, Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers.

Q. Which football teams have the most Superbowl wins?
A. Dallas and the San Francisco 49s, five wins each.

Q. What was the first wild card team ever to win the Superbowl?
A. The Oakland Raiders, who beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV

Q. What revolutionary product was introduced in a creepy Superbowl ad in 1984?
A. The Apple MacIntosh computer.

Q:Who holds the Super Bowl record for the most yards receiving in one game?
A:Jerry Rice had 215 yards on 11 catches for San Francisco in 1989.

For more fun Super Bowl trivia questions, click here.

Getting together with friends to watch the big game? Print out these questions and see who answers the most correctly. (And be sure to pass the answers around to all the women beforehand so you can knock the men in the room off their socks!)