Acura #RDXContest Twitter Party: This Wednesday at 9 pm

What are your essential luxuries— things you rely on to revitalize your soul throughout the day? 

Mine are a delicious meal, beautiful artwork, my morning cup of coffee, quiet time to think, and the conversations I have with my kids either on our walks to and from school or at night as I put them to bed.

All of us have essential luxuries that we can’t live without and help us get through the ups and downs of the day.

The newly redesigned Acura RDX was designed with essential luxuries in mind. It has everything you want without going overboard. A spacious cabin provides uncompromised comfort, and the most intelligent features were chosen to reward you with a robust, yet efficient, performance. The necessities have never been so smartly appointed. And even better, the RDX crossover SUV is expected to get best-in-class fuel economy.

Intrigued? Create a video (it’s easy- all you need is a webcam!), to tell Acura about all of your essential luxuries and be entered for a chance to win the RDX Essential Luxury Challenge. Your video could allow you to spend a luxury weekend in Arizona to experience the Acura RDX before it goes on sale! Winners will also receive a MacBook Pro.* For more details and to submit your video, head to the RDX Challenge tab on the Acura Facebook Page.

Join us Wednesday, February 1st from 9-10 pm ET (6-7 pm PT) for a fun Twitter party, where we’ll discuss the contest, the new car, and of course, life’s essential luxuries.

It’s easy to join the party. Simply follow the hashtag #RDXContest.

Hosts:
@JustPrecious, @CentsibleLife, @TechSavvyMama, @GraceDuffy

Please also follow:
@Splash_Creative and @Acura_Insider

We’ll also be giving away prizes that will help you experience luxury in your everyday life!

Prizes include:

• $25 Barnes & Noble gift card
• $25 Starbucks gift card
• $50 SpaFinder gift card
• $50 Restaurant.com gift card
• Grand Prize: Nook Simple Touch (valued at $99)

How to Enter:

RSVP below for a chance to win! Enter your name and Twitter handle. To be eligible to win you must RSVP and participate in the party using #RDXContest. All winners will be chosen by random drawing and must have a mailing address within the United States. Official rules can be found on the Splash Creative Media site.

*MacBook Pro is a trademark of Apple Inc. Apple is not a participant in or sponsor of this promotion.

Dam Dam Haiti- #Bloggers4Haiti Introduce Technology

Imagine being introduced to the internet for the first time and realizing its amazing capabilities.  That’s what we were able to provide to the women of Dam Dam Haiti during our visit. 

20 of the 60 Dam Dam members

Dam Dam is the name of a cooperative made up of 60 ladies who reside in Leogane, a countryside town an hour outside Port au Prince that was the epicenter of the Haiti earthquake.  Dam Dam Haiti comes together- 20 women at a time- to create paper máche crafts out of recycled materials.  They sit around low tables in one of the rooms in a 3 room school house to massage moistened paper, paint, and talk.

Massaging paper for the paper máche

When we visited Dam Dam the women were as curious about us as we were about them.  They wanted to hear who we were, what we did, and about our children but also wanted to know the purpose of our visit.  We shared that we wanted to share our perspective on Haiti with our readers through our blogs. This sparked their curiosity. They wanted to hear more about blogging and sharing through social media tools that we don’t think twice about using because they are ingrained in our daily work.

On a whim, Nadia brought her computer into the school room where Dam Dam was assembled.  Sitting in a child size chair with 20 women crowded around her, she showed them her blog.  Even the women who seemed mildly interested in our visit came over, mesmerized by the content on the little screen.  It was an incredible sight to see!  Dam Dam recognized blogs as a way to share their work with the world and wanted to know how they could get a computer to do what we do. They also loved us taking their photos since it allowed them to see a picture of themselves!

@JusticeJonesie gives a crash course on the internet and blogs

The community manager, Jean, is a natural marketer and savvy computer user who has already set up a Facebook page, Twitter account, and is investigating setting up a WordPress blog, MySpace page and Pinterest boards for the group.

Through our conversation with Dam Dam and Jean, I realized that I found the perfect recipient for a hot pink Asus netbook that is designated for donation.  I’ve struggled to find the right person, or organization, to donate it to because I wanted it to be truly useful through it’s purpose. It didn’t take me long to realize that the pink netbook was destined to be with Dam Dam.

Community leader Jean with the women who are excited about
blogging and social media

The screen may be small but the women are very excited that it is hot pink.  Jean plans to take the women to the internet café in town to show them the group’s Facebook page and Twitter.  With his leadership, I know that he is a tech savvy individual who can teach the women about how to share their stories of their artwork online.

The netbook will is already packed up on its way to New York where it will be hand carried to Dam Dam the following week during another trip to Haiti.  Jean has already friended me on Facebook and followed me on Twitter.  I have no doubt that he will be a wonderful teacher!  It’s wonderful to know that Dam Dam has such a motivated individual who is already taking charge of their online presence and can serve as their teacher because without the proper training, the technology is useless.

She tapped me on the shoulder and wanted to take a photo of me taking a
picture of her! Some things are universal!

Giving Dam Dam a computer is no different to providing a child with a computer.  Computers, along with knowledge about how to use them and properly navigate the internet, are essential skills that need to be taught gradually. Starting small allows for beginners to fully form understanding that will allow them to build upon their knowledge that represents empowerment.

Dam Dam asked if they could comment on our blogs in Creole and it is something that I would welcome since their comments demonstrate a developing proficiency in the use of technology and would be a wonderful way to keep in touch with this inspirational group.  I am already looking forward to getting my first comment in Creole!

Jeannette Kaplun, Elena Sonnino and I showoff the paper máche ornaments and
painted bottle cap earrings made by Dam Dam

The majority of this trip was personally funded but I did receive a scholarship from Everywhere to help me defray some of my travel costs.  Asus Netbook was provided by Asus for donation but I personally paid for shipping it to NYC.  Thanks to HP, Snapfish, and The Mother Company for donating products to share with the people of Haiti and T-Mobile for lending me devices to document it.  All opinions are my own and based on my experience.

Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge for Middle School Students

Do you have a budding scientist in your home?

Discovery Education and 3M are searching middle schools nationwide to find “America’s Top Young Scientist” for the 2012 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge.

Competing for the chance to win more than $25,000 in cash and prizes, students create a one- to two-minute video communicating the science behind a solution for an everyday problem in one of the following categories: 

• The way we move;
• The way we keep ourselves healthy;
• The way we make a difference.

Ten finalists will be selected to participate in an exclusive summer mentorship program working directly with a 3M scientist and will also receive a trip to the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, MN, to compete in the final challenge in October 2012.

Video entries must be submitted online no later than April 19, 2012.

This information was provided by Discovery Education.  Logo courtesy of Discovery and 3M.  No compensation was received for this post.

eBay MoneyMakers: Seller success stories

If you've ever pondered the possibility of eBay being a way to increase your income substantially, Amy and Tristen O'Brien of Westfield, Indiana did just that.

The O’Brien family had just relocated for a job that was eliminated soon after the move. With a new baby, the two income family had dropped to no income and needed to

generate cash quickly. The O’Briens turned to eBay to sell household items to fund their day-to-day expenses. Once Tristen’s selling proficiency increased, he turned to clearance and vintage items to resell to make additional income.

Through the eBay MoneyMakers series, the O'Briens chronicle their story on how eBay sales have impacted their lives.

Tristen is now employed and the family continues to sell on eBay to fund their wish list, including a trip to Disney World.  

Tristen also uses his experience to help others through his blog, The eBay Entrepreneur. He helps new sellers “become successful…one listing at a time.”  As an eBay hobbyist, Tristen’s blog provides me with inspiration and practical tips that I incorporate into every listing.


There are more stories of real families chronicled through eBay MoneyMakers that you can view on the eBay MoneyMakers YouTube Channel.

I am part of the eBay Parent Panel and am compensated for my participation in the program.  All opinions about my eBay experience are my own.

7 Bowl Game Party Essentials from OpenSky

Everyone always has a favorite team when Super Bowl Sunday comes around and whether you’re a die hard fan who is thrilled that your team has made it to Indianapolis or are rooting for the opposition out of spite, score a touchdown with your friends by hosting the best game day party with these finds from OpenSky.

KegStool selected by Zane Lamprey — $149

Everyone needs a place to sit while watching the game and since we know it’s a real party foul to accidentally knock over the keg, turn it into a stool!  This kit comes with everything you need to build your KegStool to dress up your home bar with this practical piece of home décor. The Keg Stool Kit includes the seat, foot rest and all necessary hardware and holds up to 300 pounds.

Beer Pong Portable Tailgate Table selected by Zane Lamprey — $99

If your team is losing, there’s no better way to take out your frustration than with a rousing game of beer pong.  Sure you can clear off the dining room table of the eats and set your game up there but it’s much more classy to have a dedicated Beer Pong Portable Tailgate Table.  After all, it’s much easier to transport this handy portable table than carting around your dining room table!

Core Bamboo Revolving Serving Platter selected by Ming Tsai — $45

Now that we’ve covered the necessary beverage-related items, it’s time to concentrate on the food.  This sustainable sectioned spinning piece is a dream for those who don’t like their foods to co-mingle.  Veggies, nuts, and other items have their separate but equal compartments but never have to meet until they reach your plate.  The ceramic dish in the center is removable so you can serve your dip to the side.

Guy Fieri’s Salsa Sampler Pack selected by Guy Fieri — $20

Chips and salsa are essential eats for any bowl game fiesta but don’t just settle for the grocery store variety, kick it up a notch with Guy Fieri’s Salsa Sampler Pack.  This 4 pack of salsa includes Salsa Verde, Original Salsa, Chipotle Salsa, and a 7 Pepper Salsa to delight your crowd.

2 Pack of Salsabols selected by Kath Younger — $32

Now that you added the salsa to your shopping cart, order the right serving vessel for them.  These bowls are just the right size to hold a generous amount of salsa so you won’t constantly have to refill and the gently curved lip of the bowl helps keep the salsa on the chip.

D’Artagnan 9 Piece Gift Basket selected by Michael Ruhlman — $99

Elevate your Super Bowl feast with this incredible selection of D'Artagnan's wide array of French classics, like the foie, pate de campagne, the duck confit, saucisson sec, and fresh sausage or bring it as a host gift to delight a Francophile fan.

WMF 7 Piece Bar Set selected by Zane Lamprey — $145

Tend bar properly with the right tools.  This 7 piece set is not only stylish but function and contains everything you need to shake, strain, muddle, stir, measure, and more to make high brow cocktails to serve along with the required beer.

What is OpenSky and how does it work?  

Sign up for a free account and get a $10 credit to start shopping with your favorite “curators.”  Curators are tastemakers who share their favorite products and brands through the site.  For more information, read my how-to guide on OpenSky.

This post was written as part of a new relationship with OpenSky where I am compensated for curating my favorite products to share with you but all opinions are my own. Membership affiliate link included in this post.

Sustainable Income Through Art #Bloggers4Haiti

Croix des Bouquets is a reknowned artist community

Haiti may be a poor country but the people here are proud.  Rather than wanting handouts or taking to begging in the streets, Haitians want to learn practical skills that will allow them to work and generate a steady income for their families.  They believe in creating a better future for their children by earning money to send them to private school but require funds in order to do so.

Beadwork by Jean Baptiste

Haiti is country full of color and creativity where art is ingrained in the culture.  Everywhere you go there are beautifully painted signs and Tap Taps, painted buses that serve as the country’s taxi system to transport people to where they need to go.  By selling their art, Haitians are rebuiliding their lives.

Painted Tap Tap, a Haitian mode of transportation

Today we visited atéliers in Croix des Bouquets where Jean Baptiste, one of the country’s most reknowned beadwork artists, has a studio.  Just down the road are countless ateliers of metal work artists who craft sculptural pieces, wall hangings, and pendants from hammered oil drums. Oil drums have been recycled and fashioned into art for years but they didn’t sell.

Outside Jean Baptiste's atélier

Through Willa Shalit and Fair Winds Trading, artists have learned what the global community is looking for.  Artists work together to develop a vision for the pieces that will be part of product lines that are sold in stores like Anthropologié and Macy’s but also learn how to create invoices, generate packing lists for customs in order to import the items into the United States, and develop pieces with designs that appeal to American consumers but will also be refined enough to sell in retail stores.  They also learn English so they can communicate with their buyers- whether individuals or large companies. Each atelier employs 8 Haitians, a significant number when there are so many atéliers.

Just one of many atéliers in Croix des Bouquets

Fair Winds Trading not only helps the metal artisans broker deals with companies like Macy’s for their Heart of Haiti line but also horn artists who are creating a line with Rachel Ray and are always looking for new ways to teach Haitians practical skills that will help them generate income.

Rony (L) who manages the metalwork atélier that creates pieces for Macy's
Heart of Haiti with Jean Baptiste holding some of his beadwork

Today we visited Ofeda, a camp of 200 smart women with an entrepreneurial spirit who kept repeating the need for training, and a real desire to be taught.  Willa had met a woman from Ofeda before and during their visit, she shared a book of embroidery that had survived the earthquake.  The book was essentially a portfolio of her skills and was the inspiration for a new project- a line of greeting cards with a block print that will incorporate embroidery that will be sold in Haiti and possibly beyond.

Willa Shalit, CEO of Fair Winds Trading, explains the
embroidered card concept to Ofeda women

Willa brought embroidery thread, needles, and blank cards to the women, explained how the embroidery book sparked this idea, and showed them samples of designs. The women were asked to create samples of their work and will be paid for any completed cards upon her return in two weeks.

Materials like embroidery thread, needles, and cards
were left for the women to create samples

This project meets the need for travelers who often find substandard, or no, greeting cards in Haiti, and allows the women to earn $1 per card that should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.  This is just one of many examples of how building capacity in the Haitian people serves as a way to better their lives.  The women we met today were very excited about earning income to provide private school tuition for their childrens’ education and funds that could help them become property owners in the future.

Example of a card with block print and embroidered details
featuring the Ofeda stamp on the back

Today’s visits made me realize that the best way to help Haitians is to empower them by teaching them practical skills they will have for the remainder of their lives.   So many people and organizations have come and gone, never to return.  It’s important to support the organizations that are building capacity through sustainable programs not only to help Haiti get back on its feet but to share these skills with future generations.

Tomorrow we'll be leaving Port au Prince for a trip to Jacmel, a coastal town which is about a 2 1/2 hour drive and is the home to paper maché artists.  I don't know if I'll have wifi to share tomorrow's journey with you but hope to do so upon my return to Port au Prince on Tuesday.

For more information about my trip and #Bloggers4Haiti, read yesterday's post:

• Haiti: 2 Years After the Quake #Bloggers4Haiti

The majority of this trip was personally funded but I did receive a scholarship from Everywhere to help me defray some of my travel costs.  Thanks to HP, Snapfish, and The Mother Company for donating products to share with the people of Haiti and T-Mobile for lending me devices to document it.  All opinions are my own and based on my experience.

Haiti: 2 Years After the Quake #Bloggers4Haiti

Travel documents for my trip to Haiti 

Two years ago when I was watching the coverage of Haiti after the devastating earthquake, I never imagined it would be a place I would visit 2 years later with fellow bloggers and friends.  My trip has elicited a variety of reactions from friends including surprise, awe, curiosity, and encouragement to do great work while here and come back to share what I’ve experienced. 

Through my trip I plan to do that and so much more.  I’m visiting Haiti because of its importance in the world and my desire to learn about the country apart from the way it has been portrayed in the news.  As a Caribbean Island, it shares its border with the Dominican Republic and is just a short 90 minute flight from Miami, making our neighbor but vastly different because it is one of the poorest countries in the world.

Sweeping vistas of Port au Prince from our hotel

Today was just the beginning.  Excitement and adrenaline are keeping me going despite a 4:15 am wakeup call that allowed us to arrive in Haiti this morning and have a full day in Port au Prince, our home for the majority of the trip.

Our home in Port au Prince is Horizon Suites, a beautiful hotel with sweeping vistas of the city that was built just up the hill from Hotel Montana, a renowned destination for international visitors that was flattened in the earthquake.  A memorial between the two sites helps commemorates the lives those who were lost and helps me remember why I’m here.

Memorial honoring Hotel Montana guests
who perished in the 2010 earthquake

In just a day, I’ve realized that there is help that I can provide to Haiti from afar through blogging and social media not only while I’m here but needs to continue after I get home. I can share the initiatives that help Haitians rebuild their lives through sustainable programs that build capacity through the skills that are being taught.  Sustainable programs provide practical training in a “teach a man to fish” way rather than the “give a man a fish” approach. 

Hand rolled paper beads made from recycled materials

While I can’t go into detail about all I saw today just yet, I have a great story to tell about my trip to the tent camps and the amazing work that is being done there to build capacity and teach Haitians skills that will allow them to generate an income to pay for private school tuition for their children ($1000/month per child) or buy property to rebuild homes destroyed in the quake.  I will share how you can support these efforts soon.

Tomorrow is another full day with visits to the womens’ domestic violence shelter and metal and horn & bone artisans.  I look forward to seeing more of Haiti during our travels but in the meantime, wanted to share this slideshow of photos.  Forgive some of the photos which were taking from our van en route from the airport to Horizon Suites.

To those of you who have Tweeted or left me Facebook messages—— thank you!  Thank you for your interest in my trip, following the #Bloggers4Haiti hashtag, and 48.5 pounds of donated items that I've brought with me. 

And thank goodness for an in-room router with fantastic wifi that allows me to share my story with you as it unfolds!

The majority of this trip was personally funded but I did receive a scholarship from Everywhere to help me defray some of my travel costs.  Thanks to HP, Snapfish, and The Mother Company for donating products to share with the people of Haiti.  All opinions are my own and based on my experience.

Teaching Kids About Chinese New Year: Year of the Dragon

On Monday, January 23, my family will celebrate the start of Year of the Dragon. This year is a particularly important year because of the significance of the dragon to Chinese culture.  The dragon characterizes ambition, dominance, success, and is the mightiest of all 12 of the creatures that comprise the Chinese Zodiac.

Around our home, we're getting ready for the start of the New Year.  I’ll clean the house before Monday to sweep out the bad luck from the previous year and because it's customary to avoid cleaning for the first week avoid sweeping away the good luck that the New Year brings.  On Monday, Little Miss Techie and Captain Computer will wake up and eagerly say "Gung Hay Fat Choy" (Happy New Year in Chinese) in order to receive the red li see envelopes from each parent that are filled with lucky money. Then they’ll head off to school wearing something new.  

While ordering Chinese takeout or going out for Dim Sum (one of my family’s favorite ways to celebrate!) is perfectly fine, teach your children the significance of Chinese or Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dragon with any of these fun activities:

Li see envelopes are filled with lucky money

Make or print li see envelopes to exchange with family members and fill them with lucky money.  It is customary for married couples to give them to those who are unmarried.  

Print the story of the Chinese Zodiac to share with your family. Since each year is represented by one of 12 animals, use this Chinese Zodiac Sign Calculator to figure out which animals you are.  I like the calculator because it takes into account your actual day of birth in figuring out which animal you are.  Many calendars like those you see on placemats at Chinese restaurants follow the western calendar that begins on January 1.  They don't take into account that those with January birthdays (like Little Miss Techie) might fall under a different sign since Chinese New Year is determined by the lunar calendar.  I also like that this site will give you a link so you can read and print the character traits for your animal sign.  Did that make any sense?

Make felt fortune cookies, dumplings, or a tray of oranges for your play kitchen.  The oranges signify gold and prosperity for the new year while dumpling preparation the night before the start of the new year is a tradition.

Hanging lanterns in red and gold symbolize good luck

Decorate your house with paper lanterns or plum blossom branches

Recycle your toilet paper tubes to make pretend firecrackers that will ward off evil spirits.

Prepare a Tray of Togetherness.  In my grandparents' and parents' house a square lacquer box with different compartments were always filled with candied sweets of ginger, winter melon, lotus seeds, sliced taro root, crunchy water chestnuts, and coconut at this time of year.  Our box may be an octagon plastic one but it will be filled with sweets like candied winter melon and coconut.  Make one at home by gathering 8 dishes and filling them with sweet treats.  Eight is a lucky number!  

Order noodles with your Chinese meal since the length of the noodles signifies long life and it's customary to eat noodles as part of any happy occasion.

Ward off evils spirits with your own dragon

Have your own parade with dragon hand puppets or dancing lion puppets

Beginning readers will enjoy making a mini book of words associated with Chinese New Year.  Also be sure to read any of the following picture books together to learn more about Chinese New Year customs and the Chinese culture: 

• Celebrating Chinese New Year
• Dragon Dance
• The Dancing Dragon
• Lanterns and Firecrackers: A Chinese New Year Story (Festival Time)
• The Runaway Wok: A Chinese New Year Tale
• Sam and the Lucky Money
• Bringing in the New Year
• My First Chinese New Year
• Fortune Cookie Fortunes
• Yum Yum Dim Sum

Gung Hay Fat Choy (or Happy Chinese New Year!)

Amazon affiliate links contained in this post.  This post was written as part of the MomsRising Lunar New Year Year of the Dragon Blog Carnival to help celebrate Asian-American families and all families.