| Wednesday, January 30, 2008 |
| Picture Me by Walmart |
Last week I took the Awesome Blossom to Walmart to try their photo studio, Picture Me. I visited their website to check out their promotions and backgrounds. The backgrounds were nothing to write home about, they looked like the stereotypical cheap studio backgrounds, but they had a huge package for $5.99 so I decided to try it out. I called the studio on Thursday and made an appointment for the next day.
We arrived and got checked in. I was given a book of backgrounds and asked to choose one. The actual studio had more backgrounds than pictured on the website, but none really caught my eye. I choose a pretty plain, watercolor-like background with some brown in it. I had the Awesome Blossom dressed in red & white with a brown, red & white hooded sweater. I also brought along a sock monkey to use as a prop in her photos. I figured if I couldn't find a cute background I'd choose an inoffensive one and showcase the sock monkey theme.
The photographer got the background set up and told me she'd take a couple of shots with the background I chose for the package then move on to some other settings. She wasn't kidding about taking a couple of shots either. She took exactly four shots using the setting I had picked out and spent the rest of the appointment doing what she wanted. When it came time to choose my shot for the package I didn't get the option of using anything she set up. Actually, I didn't even get the option of choosing from all of "my" shots either. I could pick shot one, two or three for the package and that was it. This is the fifth time I've had the Awesome Blossom's photos taken in a studio and the first time I've had my choices restricted.
I wasn't all that thrilled with the rest of the experience either. They have a rule that they won't photograph small children unless the parent is seated on a little stool next to them. From a safety aspect this is great. From a photo aspect it's a disaster. The Awesome Blossom would not smile for this woman. When this happened at JC Penney the photographer and I switched positions. The camera is on a remote anyway and having me out front allowed us to work together to get over a dozen great shots. Here that wasn't an option. Of course we may have gotten some good shots if she would have listened to my suggestion of peek-a-boo rather than waving a stuffed animal in the baby's face. She tried peek-a-boo for about a second, got a half smile and went back to annoying the kid with a toy. I couldn't figure out why she'd abandon a technique just as it started working. She also kept picking up the sock monkey to wave when I clearly wanted it in the shot. By the second background change I had given up and was waiting for it to end.
On the way home from the shot I stopped at Adray Camera in Troy, MI and picked up a couple of photo flood lights. I set up a background and got all of the shots that Walmart couldn't. Next time I'll save my $5.99 and use it toward a $9.99 package at JC Penney.
Picture Me by Walmart in Troy, MI: skip it!
JC Penney Portrait Studio in Troy, MI: go here instead.Labels: reviews |
posted by Michelle at Bargains 4 Detroit & Beyond @ 4:20 PM
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| Thursday, January 24, 2008 |
| More Safe Toys |
FAO Schwarz carries a bunch of toys made in Germany in their FAO Outlet section. You can shop by brand, like Selecta, or just browse through their selection, keeping an eye out for "made in Germany" in the product description.
At the Discovery Channel Store you can also find the product's country of origin in the descriptions. Right now they have the Edushape: Climb & Play Activity Center, made in Isreal, on sale.Labels: safe toys |
| posted by Michelle at Bargains 4 Detroit & Beyond @ 10:57 AM
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| Wednesday, January 23, 2008 |
| Toy Safety |
I know a lot of parents are worried about buying toys from China and are looking for alternatives. I've been searching high and low to find quality toys that aren't made in China. I've learned that just because a toy company makes most of its products in China that doesn't mean they all are. Many companies have multiple plants, some even here in the U.S.!
For example, Manhattan Toy's Skwish is made in Thailand. And their Whoozit, while made in China, was tested on a local news program and found to be safe.
The Awesome Blossom has a Kids II Twist & Turn by Bright Starts and it's stamped "made in Isreal".
Little Tikes stands out among toy companies because you can search for products made in America right on their website. I've also noticed some of our Little Tikes toys are made in Isreal too.
And, of course, there are the big German toy companies like Sigikid and Haba. They make beautiful, quality toys but can be a little pricier. Still, it's worth keeping your eyes open for bargains on these brands because they're well worth it. In fact, Toys R Us has a limited selection of Haba toys on clearance right now!Labels: clearance, safe toys |
| posted by Michelle at Bargains 4 Detroit & Beyond @ 1:52 PM
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| Friday, January 18, 2008 |
| Free Entertainment |
I was recently asked if I knew anything free or cheap to do with little ones. We've invested in memberships to the DIA and Detroit Zoo and I feel it's money well spent. I know, however, that coming up with the initial membership fee can be a struggle sometimes. I suggested checking out the library for story hours and have been keeping my eyes open for additional ideas. Here are a couple that I stumbled upon over the past week.
Story Hour: Pottery Barn Kids at The Somerset Collection in Troy, MI has a weekly story hour on Tuesdays from 10 - 10:30 AM. Kids receive a membership punch card the first time they attend and after 5 punches get a free gift. The next Sing-Along concert series starts Spring 2008
African Footprint Performance: Cast members will perform a dance and drumming demostration at Borders in Dearborn, MI. Check out their website (and your local Borders) for additional family-friendly events!
Story Hour: Barnes & Noble in Troy, MI offers at reoccuring story hour on Saturdays at 11:00 AM. You can meet Clifford the Big Red Dog on January 26, 2008. Check out their website (and your local Barnes & Noble) for more family-friendly events!
Story Hour and more: Oakland Mall in Troy, MI has story hour at their Borders location every Wednesday at 11:00 AM. They also have a club just for kids 10 and under called Giggle Gang. Kids get special gifts and discounts at mall stores. Mom and dad aren't forgotten either! They can sign up for Solid Gold Perks for their own offers and discounts.
Museum Passes: The Royal Oak Public Library in Royal Oak, MI is letting you check out a museum. Library card holders can visit the library and check out a pass to one of many, many local museums. Each pass is good for up to 4 free admissions. Check out the link for details because this is one awesome program!
I hope these suggestions help you fight off winter boredom for a while. I'll add more as I find them!Labels: events, free admission, museums |
| posted by Michelle at Bargains 4 Detroit & Beyond @ 7:09 PM
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| Wednesday, January 16, 2008 |
| Old Navy Super Clearance! |
Right now Old Navy has a super clearance going on in store and online. All of their clearance merchandise is an extra 50% off the lowest price. I bought most of The Awesome Blossom's winter wardrobe during this sale last year and this year I picked up a ton of stuff for summer. Yes, you heard me right, they still have some summer merchandise on the clearance racks! I found $2 shorts, $1 tees & tanks and socks for 24 cents! Plus, $2 tees and tanks for me, $4 capris and $8 jeans.
If you can find the time and have a couple of bucks this is a sale that's well worth checking out. I have a tendency to haunt Old Navy's website in January waiting for it to begin.Labels: clearance |
| posted by Michelle at Bargains 4 Detroit & Beyond @ 8:46 PM
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| Sunday, January 13, 2008 |
| Customer Service at Gerber |
I recently had some trouble getting a coupon to print at Gerber's website so I fired off a quick email. A few days later I received an envelope from the good folks are Gerber containing a cents off coupon for their new DHA cereal line and a coupon for a FREE full-sized canister of the same cereal. Very nice, Gerber.
If you like Gerber product it might be worth your time to drop them an email. You never know what'll happen.Labels: reviews |
| posted by Michelle at Bargains 4 Detroit & Beyond @ 7:56 PM
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| Diaper Sales and Coupons for 1-13-08 |
| CVS has their Playskool brand diapers on sale for $10.99. However, if you go to verybestbaby you'll find a $2 off coupon that brings your total price down to $8.99. This is approximately 17 cents per diaper! Labels: coupons and sales |
| posted by Michelle at Bargains 4 Detroit & Beyond @ 7:51 PM
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