Remember When?

Remember when...

You used to stop by this blog and there were new posts?

We'd laugh at the comments we exchanged with one another?

We had a Twitter account and actively participated in social media?

Those were good times.

We miss those days.

As Thuy mentioned in her last post, the Three Bay B Chicks took an unplanned, but needed, vacation from the blogosphere. Turns out there is a great big world outside of the computer; one filled with family, friends, books, television, and many other things that we had forgotten about. However, in taking a break, we also realized how much we truly enjoy blogging and connecting with our Internet friends.

We'd like to come back to the party now, but not entirely in the same manner. Maybe it's best to figure out how to change things up a bit. Bring back the sass and the spice and move forward in a different way.

That is exactly what is happening here. Kacey, Thuy, and Francesca will no longer be posting on Three Bay B Chicks. It is time to bid this blog farewell. We shared some very good times on our little site, but nothing lasts forever.

You can now find Kacey and Francesca regularly at their new site, Mayhem & Moxie. Thuy will even pop in from time to time to share her tips and tales with us. All is still well with the girls by the Bay. We've just moved on...and we are hoping that you will move forward with us.

Many thanks to all our friends and family who read what we wrote here. It's been a pleasure.

Thuy, Francesca, and Kacey

Can I get a Woot, Woot?

Sorry, we've all decided to take a bit of unplanned vacation from our blog, just to evaluate our purpose and mission. It is much needed!!

While we try to think things out, I couldn't help but post some of my favorite deals for the week. It's Wednesday so I thought I'd start out the week, spending money instead of making money...always a bad sign when I need retail therapy. But, how about I spin it and say, it's always a good start to week when I can start it SAVING money?!

1. Kids Woot. It just launched the site yesterday. It's Woot but for kid stuff. According to Kids.Woot, by "stuff", they mean "everything from carseats to apparel to educational toys & games to non-educational toys & games – all the accoutrements that make your little bundle of joy so damn expensive."

My husband is in love and in trouble! He has a even softer spot for bargains than me. For today, Thomas the Train Talking Railway Set with Engine Recognition Technology. Retails for $140-$160 but on Kids.Woot for $49.99 and $5 shipping. Can I say, stock up for Christmas?!


2. Tarte Cosmetics: Now, that you've got something for the kids, what about for yourself? I love Tarte's cheek stain (normally $30) because it's idiot-proof make-up and that's really all I can handle.

Now that I think about it, I sure spend a lot money on appearing to not have anything on...Yeah, it doesn't make sense to me, either. At $18 a pop, it's time to get cheeky. Use the coupon code "FF09". Shipping starts at $5, or get free shipping on orders of $60 or more. Coupon expires August 24.

3. Spending all that money....hmm, I mean.... saving all that money can make a person hungry. Why not get the Buy one meal, get one meal free from Boston Market? Save the meal making for another day because shopping is exhausting! Coupon expires Thursday, August 27th.

Enjoy the savings!

-Thuy

Ding!

By now, you all know I am pretty good at finding deals, especially when I can sit from one place and search. Aside from using Costco.com to check for travel bargains, I also use this application from Southwest called Ding! If you have Southwest in your area, it really is the best application ever to finding travel bargains!


Upon downloading it, you can specify which cities you're interested in, including your origination airport(s) or even your destination airport(s), and the program automatically alerts you with a ding on my computer when flights become available. It's completely unobtrusive (pictured above, only an icon representing the Southwest Airlines plane tail will display in your system tray) and is not bundled with adware, spyware, or any other software.

Through it, I've been able to book a couple of trips to Los Angeles for $29 each way and $59 to Las Vegas each way. Incredible, right?! Give it a try because with these prices, it's practically free to move about the country.

-Thuy

Hooray for a Giveaway!

If your’re like me and live under a rock there’s a strong possibility you too have never heard of an artist that has sold more than 20 million records worldwide. When Francesca asked me if I wanted to review a DVD of Michael Bublé my response was “Sure, but I think you mean Michael Bolton.” Sadly I’m not as hip as I’d like to think and apparently Michael Bolton hasn’t had a CD for awhile, who knew?

In any case, I watched the DVD not really knowing what to expect and am happy to report that I truly enjoyed it. Michael, (yes we are on a first name basis, but because saying his last name, boob-lay, makes me blush) is not only talented but quite witty, and very down to earth. The DVD documents his return to New York’s Madison Square Garden after two years of touring around the world. It’s part interview, part concert and fans will appreciate the intimate behind the scenes shots of Michael with his band. If you'd like to check out a snippet from the concert click here or on the album above.

What most impressed me about Michael was his down to earth demeanor. He doesn’t seem arrogant or jaded and its evident that he is doing something he really loves. He is extremely protective and proud of his band and they really are a tight knit group. Did I mention he also happens to have a pretty good voice? He sings in that old style crooner voice but not as nasally as you might expect. Plus, he infuses quite a bit of soul, truly a unique blend. Probably helped him sell those millions of records, just a guess.

So why am I telling you about my new friend Michael? Today marks the start of our August giveaways! Every Thursday this month I will have something new and fantastic to giveaway. Five lucky winners will receive Michael’s latest recording a 2 disc CD/DVD called Michael Bublé meets Madison Square Garden. Here’s a brief synopsis:

Following his first #1 Pop album and his third platinum-plus disc, 2007's Grammy® winning Call Me Irresponsible, singing sensation Michael Bublé returns to the stage with the live CD+DVD package Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden. Featuring powerful performances of his hits 'Everything,' 'Home' and 'Feeling Good,' he brings the December 2008 concert at one of the most famous venues in entertainment history home to fans with Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden.

If you are like me and sick of having Raffi songs stuck in your head this giveaway is for you! Simply leave me a comment and I will choose five winners at random next week.

Good luck!

-Kacey


P.S. For die hard Michael Bublé fans click here to receive 15 off at his official store by using the coupon bublemom15.

A Lesson in Common Sense

As a first grade teacher one of my biggest challenges is keeping my students engaged. Six year olds are much more sophisticated these days and do not have time to just be sitting and learning. They have things to do, people to talk to, and if they are not being entertained then you are wasting their time. I’ve come to learn that “my time” is about 20 minutes and then my students begin to unravel on the rug. Someone is sitting too close to another, so-and-so’s feelings are hurt, little Eddie’s tooth fell out, and the principal is calling to remind me a parent tour is coming in five minutes. Fan-tas-tic!

Before I had children of my own I almost always blamed my students’ lack of attention on what else: television and video games. I clearly remember thinking what kind of parent would allow their children to watch TV for more than 30 minutes a day? Doesn’t anyone know what books are anymore? Parent people! Parent!

Oh how the times have changed. I could write a glowing review on how much I love the Noggin channel and all the friends Emi has made on it. If dinner needs to be made, Emi can usually be found watching her friends Pablo and Tasha and their Backyardigan adventure. If mom has a deadline to write a post, Emi is hanging with Wyatt and her Super Why friends. Truth be told, there are only a handful of shows Emi watches, and from what I can tell they are very appropriate. No violence and there are no skanky girl characters in the lead roles.

Lately I’ve started to obsess about what will happen when Sesame Street and the Backyardigans are no longer her friends. How can I choose age appropriate shows or movies for my little one? Especially when my attention span is limited for animated movies.

Enter Common Sense Media, a website devoted to reviewing all media (books, websites, movies, video games & TV) and applying an age appropriate tag.



There is even a section for iphone applications. It’s genius. Users are also allowed to add reviews and parents can scroll through ages 2-17 for recommendations. Common Sense Media is an independent non-profit company that seeks grants from organizations not affiliated with the media, so there is no conflict of interest. You can read more about their FAQ and rating system on their site.

A teacher shouldn’t say this, but sometimes it’s nice having someone do the homework for you!

-Kacey

What Not To Wear

Or maybe I should have titled this post, What I Will Be Wearing in About 30 Years. Both options are incredibly gripping, I know.

I am guest posting at Laura's Better in Bulk site today.

Talking about this girl:

(This is a picture of my younger sister, Gianna, and me, many, many years ago.)

And how we will be wearing either this:


or this:


in about 30 years.

These are important issues on a Friday.

I hope you'll join me.

It is only a click away.

-Francesca

(Comments off.)