Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Everyone loves a deal!

New Local Deal Discovery Service Aggregates the Largest Number

of Local Deals on the Web


The Dealmap™ also gives consumers easy access to popular daily deals with listings

from nearly 100 local daily deal sites


May 11, 2010 – MENLO PARK, CA – The Dealmap (http://www.thedealmap.com), the most comprehensive source for consumers to find and share local deals, today announced the public launch of its service. Available now throughout the U.S. and U.K., The Dealmap aggregates more than 300,000 local deals on its website, and allows consumers to sign up for daily deal emails and deal alerts via Twitter in more than 20 cities. As part of today’s product launch, The Dealmap has also published publicly available APIs for its unique local deal data which developers can access from its website. Six launch partners have already signed up to use these APIs to integrate The Dealmap's content to enhance their services.

The Dealmap cuts through the maze of paper coupons, e-mail newsletters and stacks of newspaper ads to help consumers easily find local deals, coupons and discounts that appeal to their personal interests, all in one place. People will find deals for businesses in their neighborhood ranging from offers from national sources like Restaurant.com, Citysearch and Merchant Circle, to deals from social media sources like Foursquare and Twitter, to the largest collection of popular daily deals, and even unadvertised, previously hard-to-find deals from individual merchants. By aggregating the largest number of deals from local businesses, providing powerful browsing and filtering functionality, and including game-like incentives and rewards, The Dealmap makes finding and sharing deals fun, useful and rewarding. Owned and operated by Center’d Corp., The Dealmap also integrates content and technology from the popular Center’d® site, including aggregated and summarized data from consumer reviews about local businesses to help consumers find deals based on their interests.

“The confluence of consumer demand for local deals, location-based services and social media presents a very large market opportunity, and we are well positioned to capitalize on these trends,” said Jennifer Dulski, co-founder and chief executive officer of Center’d. “Our local expertise, combined with our ability to integrate hundreds of partners, has enabled us to create an exciting and intuitive way for people to find and share great local deals.”

In the coming weeks, the Dealmap will also launch an iPhone application, enhancing the benefits of the service by allowing consumers access to the largest number of local deals where ever they are.


Bringing Hard-to-Find Deals Online

In addition to aggregating local deals from the largest number of existing sources, The Dealmap aims to make previously hard-to-find deals easily discoverable. Many such deals are not actively advertised and are only promoted at local businesses themselves. The Dealmap makes it easy for both businesses and consumers to add deals for free, and will make this functionality available on its soon-to-be-released mobile applications as well. To make submitting deals and using the site fun and competitive for consumers, The Dealmap has created game-like features and rewards. People can attain status levels, collect badges, and even receive free gift certificates by becoming “Deal Heroes” and submitting deals that help others save money. Businesses who submit deals can instantly gain distribution throughout The Dealmap network, including its website, social media applications, emails, partner sites, and future mobile applications.


Largest Local Deal Source Available to Developers

In conjunction with the launch of its service, The Dealmap has created publicly available APIs that enable developers to add unique local deal content to their sites or applications for free. The APIs allow developers to search for deals, businesses and locations, and to submit deals. A number of partners, including WHERE, AmericanTowns, BigTent, Drinksin, eviesays.com and Wantsa, have already signed up to use The Dealmap APIs to integrate local deal content into their respective services. Each company will highlight different use cases for the content, through a variety of mediums with different audiences, demonstrating the broad appeal of the content. More information on the APIs, including documentation and discussion boards, can be found at http://www.thedealmap.com/api.

“Having a number of companies already using our content is a great validation, and I’m excited to see what types of innovative applications other entrepreneurial developers create using our unique content and APIs,” said Chandu Thota, co-founder and chief technology officer of Center’d. “The scalable technology platform we’ve created for processing, matching and managing enormous amounts of local data has enabled us to bring a category-leading product and API to market very quickly,”


About The Dealmap

The Dealmap (www.thedealmap.com) is the most comprehensive source for savvy consumers to find and share the hottest local deals, all in one place. The Dealmap aggregates the largest number of local deals on the Web from the largest number of sources, and makes previously hard-to-find deals available to consumers when and where they want them through its website and social applications, and its daily email. The site showcases discounts of up to 90% off multiple business categories, including restaurants, attractions, hotels, spas, salons, entertainment, shops and more. Using Center’d SentimentAnalysis™, The Dealmap also integrates detailed insights about local businesses, giving people the information they need to make better local purchasing decisions. Consumers and businesses can submit offers directly to the The Dealmap website.

The Dealmap is owned and operated by Center’d Corporation, a local search and discovery company that organizes and distributes unique content based on its SentimentAnalysis technology. Headquartered in Menlo Park, California, Center’d is led by former Microsoft and Yahoo! executives, and is funded by Norwest Venture Partners and KeyNote Ventures.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

NOLA, Here I come...


As I get ready to head to one of my favorite places, New Orleans... I have been putting together what I am going to share with you for Mother's Day gifts. I have been scrambling around getting my kids situated,shopping,packing,cleaning Pure Craziness in the Polke Household...


I am headed to NOLA, to write about the Jazz fest...This city is one to add to your bucket list. The architecture,food,music,people LOVE IT! So make sure to come back later today. I will have the Mother's day gifts up for you to view...Also, when they are up you forward to your loved one so he gets the hint...


Thursday, April 8, 2010

OOH LA LA... FREE GOODIES!


Tax Day Bites! Cinnabon Sweetens Tax Day by Offering Free Bite-Sized Cupcakes and a Chance to Win a $100 Gift Card



What: Let’s admit it, Tax Day Bites! To help make the day a little less taxing, Cinnabon is giving guests two free cupcake bites. Cinnabon cupcakes are available in four delicious flavors:

· Cinnacake Classic: A tribute to Cinnabon’s world-famous Classic Roll – moist, vanilla cake infused with Cinnabon’s Makara Cinnamon, topped with cream cheese frosting and garnished with a caramel, Makara Cinnamon swirl

· Chocolate Passion: Moist, decadent chocolate cake topped with rich, chocolate buttercream frosting

· Vanilla Bliss: Moist, divinely vanilla cake topped with luscious, vanilla buttercream frosting

· 24-Carrot Cake: Moist, perfectly spiced carrot cake with a hint of pineapple and coconut, topped with cream cheese frosting and orange sugar sprinkles



Perhaps guests need a little bit more Cinnabon frosting to help them get through the stress of tax season. If that’s the case, guests can also enter the online essay contest now through April 15 for the chance to win a $100 gift card. In 500 words or less, participants should explain why their life needs more frosting.



Visit www.cinnabon.com for information on the Tax Day Bites giveaway and essay contest.



When: Because Tax Day Bites, Cinnabon is giving away bite-sized cupcakes on Tax Day, Thursday, April 15 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm (while supplies last).

Additionally, guests can submit a 500 word or less essay by April 15 for a chance to win a $100 gift card!



Where: The Tax Day Bites giveaway is available at participating mall-based locations. Visit www.cinnabon.com to find the nearest location.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

OH MY! C.H.O.C.O.L.A.T.E




Well this is a Fabulous company I must share. With a Candy holiday around the corner, I hope you take my word for it, and buy some of what I am about to write about. Derry Church Artisan Chocolates. To start off I looked at the variety that was displayed in front of me. My mouth was watering at the look of them; I knew I was in for a treat. The first one I chose was called "Paris" French strawberry jam with white chocolate buttercream ganache piped inside a bittersweet mold of perfection. This combination was amazing I felt like I was sitting outside a French cafe. 5stars

My second choice... Imagine sitting in Jamaica sipping on a homemade Pina Colada..."Montego Bay" was just that. Coconut, dark rum and raisin paste in a milk chocolate ganache, piped into a small rosette and caressed by bittersweet chocolate DELISH! 5 stars

3rd much better then Starbucks... "Rome" The vision of Italy pranced in my head as I slowing divulged this strong Cappuccino and milk chocolate ganache piped into milk chocolate cup mold, and topped with a light creamy white chocolate mousse, dusted with cocoa. This my friend is a must... I am craving more... I would give up "you know what"? If I could sit in bed and eat a box of these.. It would be temporary of course LOL... I know my husband will read this later "wink"... 5 plus stars

O.K, I am all about adding a little spice to my life, Alright a lot of spice. This last masterpiece I will write about was one of my fav's, "Tangier" Organic African honey and tangerine juice reduction with toasted ground cumin seed & cayenne pepper in a bittersweet chocolate ganache, piped into bittersweet chocolate mold.5 stars


So I hope your mouths are watering and you want to go and check out Derry Church Artisan Chocolates.. Home of World class French style bon bons and Truffles. They use the freshest ingredients from organic fruit purees, top-shelf liqueurs, fresh roasted nuts and the best part for me everything is 100% NATURAL.

Make sure you tell Chef Eric Cayton that you found him on The Fabulous Finds...

ENJOY!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Part 1 Fab Finds Review Panel

This years test panel was amazing. We had over 30 products to test and review. Big Thank You goes out to The Courtyard Marriott in Cromwell,CT for sponsoring the event.
Thank you to all of the women who came out and wrote reviews for all of the Fab Finds products. This was a successful event and many more to come in the near future.
Men's panel coming in June and Tween panel to follow. Below is a small list of the products we tested. Many more to come so be on the look out...
If you aren't a subscriber to TFF please sign up... You will hear first hand what we are up to..




Monday, February 22, 2010

Who knew something litl could hold so many recipes?


Foodies Get Cooking with New Litl Webbook Recipe Channel Powered by BakeSpace



--Kitchens Come to Life with Easy-to-Use Internet Computer; Recipes and Entire BakeSpace Community Available via One Simple Click--



Boston, Mass – February 22, 2010 – Things are heating up in the kitchen with the introduction of a new recipe channel, launched today by litl (litl.com) in partnership with BakeSpace (bakespace.com). The channel provides quick and easy access to more than 50,000 recipes for users of the litl webbook, an Internet computer for the home. It is available now at no cost to litl webbook users.



“The litl webbook’s versatility makes it perfect for the kitchen. While it can go online and be used like a conventional laptop, the 12-inch screen and keyboard can also flip around the hinge so the litl stands upright like an easel. This new “easel” mode makes photos, news, music, weather, video, Facebook updates, and now tens of thousands of recipes fun and easy to enjoy—even from across a kitchen,” said litl’s founder and CEO John Chuang. “We’re excited to partner with BakeSpace to change the way families enjoy the Internet from their kitchens.”



BakeSpace, a 2009 Webby Award nominee for Best Social Network, is a free online community where members post, search and swap recipes, share cooking tips, and socialize with other food enthusiasts. The site’s membership ranges from teenagers just starting to explore the culinary lifestyle to grandparents who want to catalog and preserve their treasured family recipes.



Babette Pepaj, BakeSpace’s founder and CEO, said, “We love the concept behind the litl webbook because it’s all about making it fun and easy to enjoy the web. With the addition of the new BakeSpace channel, the litl is now also a great tool for cooking enthusiasts. If you enjoy spending time in the kitchen, the litl webbook could be your ideal computer.”



The litl webbook’s channels transform online content to make it more useful and entertaining. These channels complement a familiar web browser experience for active, “lean forward” use with an all-new “lean back” mode for passive web enjoyment—from across a kitchen or on a large-screen television, for instance. Users can easily create channels for many popular websites or select from a set of channels custom-designed by litl, including Facebook, The Weather Channel, Flickr, Shutterfly, and now, BakeSpace.



Technical information for independent developers, potential partners, and others interested in developing their own custom channels will be announced shortly.



About litl

Based in Boston, litl is a new kind of computer company. The company was founded to make the web more enjoyable and entertaining for everyday consumers. Small and personal by design, we invite you to meet us and learn more at litl.com.



About BakeSpace

BakeSpace is a grassroots online community where members post, search and swap recipes, create their own “online kitchen,” share cooking tips, raid the “virtual pantry” (forums), upload cooking videos, and interact with other food enthusiasts from around the world. Membership on the site is free. More information is available at bakespace.com or facebook.com/bakespace.


Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Healthy Snacks for a healthy You!


Interpreting Nutrition Labels



Start with the list of ingredients
Keep an eye out for heart-healthy ingredients such as whole-wheat flour, soy and oats. Monounsaturated fats — such as olive, canola or peanut oils — promote heart health, too.
Avoid unhealthy ingredients, too, such as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil.
Keep in mind that ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. The main (heaviest) ingredient is listed first, followed by other ingredients used in lesser amounts.

Consider carbs in context
If your meal plan is based on carbohydrate counting, food labels become an essential tool for meal planning.

Don't miss out on high-fiber foods. Pay special attention to high-fiber foods. Although the grams of sugar and fiber are counted as part of the grams of total carbohydrate, the count can sometimes be misleading. If a food has 5 grams or more fiber in a serving, the American Diabetes Association recommends subtracting the fiber grams from the total grams of carbohydrate for a more accurate estimate of the product's carbohydrate content.

Look at total carbohydrate, not just sugar. Evaluate the grams of total carbohydrate — which includes sugar, complex carbohydrate and fiber — rather than only the grams of sugar. If you zero in on sugar content, you could miss out on nutritious foods naturally high in sugar, such as fruit and milk. And you might overdo foods with no natural or added sugar but plenty of carbohydrate, such as certain cereals and grains.


Do the math

Pay attention to serving sizes. The serving sizes listed on food labels may be different from the serving sizes in your meal plan. If you eat twice the serving size listed on the label, you also double the calories, fat, carbohydrate, protein, sodium and other contents. By Mayo Clinic staff MayoClinic.com gives users access to the expertise and knowledge of the more than 3,300 physicians and scientists of Mayo Clinic.

Granola Gourmet (http://www.granolagourmet.com/) makes gourmet energy bars for diabetics and their families. Founded by a diabetic of 15 years and involving the entire family we've hit on a new unique product which is now in many natural food stores including Whole Foods in the west.

Granola Gourmet energy bars are endorsed by Diabetes specialists, Cardiologists, Pediatricians and Cancer Experts. They have no sodium, no dairy and no wheat. They are an energy bar and don’t have the high sugar, fat and sodium content of some popular protein bars.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Get that slimming look fast.. YUMMIE TUMMIE is the answer!



New Year, New Site, New You

Yummie Tummie is kicking off 2010 with a newly designed website and the sizzling Spring 2010 Collection, filled with fun, colorful and confidence-building new styles for you to show off!

Now your www.yummietummie.com shopping experience will be better than ever. The new site makes it easier to find styles, simplify the size and color choices, and radiates the Yummie Tummie brand vibe - Sexy, Sophisticated and Stylish!







Struggling the fight off the winter blues and extra holiday pounds??



Celebrity Stylist and Yummie Tummie Creator, Heather Thomson, offers must-have slimming secrets to look great in 2010!



Go long for versatility and style.

With cold winter days here, we can all benefit from a few extra inches of fabric. The look is chic, flattering, and keeps you warm. The long Yummie Tummie tank is perfect for adding a new dimension to your wardrobe without adding unwanted bulk. Let your favorite long Yummie Tummie tank peek out from under a fitted shirt or funky fur vest paired with skinny jeans for sleek, long lines that will have you looking slim, confident and cozy all winter long.



Sky high heels lengthen and slim.

One of my favorite tricks for hiding unwanted pounds is throwing on a pair of high heels. They are great for lengthening your silhouette and perfecting your posture so you stand up straighter and taller. Try a pair of over-the-knee boots or classic pumps for a slimming update to any outfit. And while designer styles are delicious, you don’t need to break the bank for a new pair of shoes. Check-out brands like Steven Madden or Aldo for the season’s hottest trends at affordable prices.



Feminine and flirty add lux to your look.

Embrace being a lady with feminine ruffles and bows this season. You will be surprised at what a little girly glamour can do for your confidence. Try a 40’s inspired suit with a belted jacket and pencil skirt in wonderful wools and tweeds. Pair it with a darling ruffled blouse which will take you through the season and even into spring. My must have tip for pulling off this look with confidence- the Yummie Tummie Briefie which slims your belly and gives you an hour-glass shape to show off your ladylike style.



Wrap it up for effortless style.

Classy wrap coats and dresses are perfect for carving your waist for an effortlessly sexy style. Invest in this look and you are sure to wear it to death. No need to worry about a few extra lumps and bumps leftover from the holiday season either. The Yummie Tummie Peek-A-Boo Cami will perfectly smooth away unsightly belly bulge while highlighting your best assets.



Statement jewelry for instant glam.

Chunky necklaces, stacked bracelets and embellished rings are a must-have for adding a little flare to your style this season. Layered jewelry is the perfect accent to everything from pencil skirts to boyfriend jeans. An added bonus, it will draw the attention away from trouble spots leftover from the holiday party season. Check-out trendy boutiques for unique pieces and the best bargains.



Give your wardrobe an affordable facelift.

You don’t need to spend a ton of money for an updated look in the New Year. My approach to fashion is to take the latest trends and mix a little bit new with a little of what you’ve already got. Simply invest in a great, versatile, go-to piece for the season such as a strong shoulder boyfriend blazer. Wear it over a girly top and skirt, sexy dress or black leggings when heading out on the town. Or throw it over your favorite Yummie Tummie Tank, a tissue soft cotton t-shirt and a pair of skinny jeans for a casual layered look perfect for winter weekends.



Skip New Year’s Resolutions, get a Yummie January boost instead.

New Year’s resolutions are a lot of pressure, especially when you’re already working as hard as you can. Instead, start the year fresh by giving yourself a break and a boost at the same time: get a Yummie Tummie. Yummie Tummie gives you the freedom to be your best self in everyday outfits, from layering a Long Sleeved Body V under a cardigan, to dressing up jeans for girls-night out with the jeweled neckline Glamour Tank. Whichever fabulous style you choose, it will leave you looking terrific and give you a rush of feel-good energy- just what you need to get moving on a New Year’s project, whether it’s a workout routine or weekly bubble bath.



Heather is the go-to expert for celebrities such as Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez and now you too can take advantage of her insider tricks to a slim and stylish new you.












Saturday, January 9, 2010

CarrotSticks - Sponsored Post

CarrotSticks - www.carrotsticks.com
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Tuesday, January 5, 2010

A new way to carry your lunch!


Handmade ECOlunchbags with napkins and stainless steel food containers! ECOlunchboxes.com is a new company created by a mom named Sandra Ann Harris in the San Francisco Bay Area. I love the concept, packaging, the whole thing. The no-waste lunch kits come with a lunch bag and matching napkins sewn from hand block printed fabrics, a stainless steel food container, and bamboo spork. The stainless steel lunchboxes come in two different configurations: the ECOlunchbox Three-in-One, which is a double-decker rectangular lunchox ideal for children, and the ECOlunchbox Oval, which is a two-piece set including a yogurt cup that works great for all ages. No more plastic baggies and needless lunch waste. Did you know the average family creates 4,320 pieces of trash each year during the simple act of eating lunch. Check out ECOlunchboxes' lunch waste study You will love this company. This beats the everyday lunch bag. Please spread the love and check them out!


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