Danielle's Deals

Too Cool for School

If you live in the tri-state area or know anybody who does, you must read about this great idea! A one-stop shop for any class (kids and adults) in New York City! No more researching for hours, who has time for that? Now you can visit CourseHorse and put in any type of class you are interested in, and your class choices, schedules and prices appear right before your eyes, like magic! There are currently more than 6,000 classes being offered, with the number growing daily. The average price of classes on the site is $20 per hour, making education truly affordable for anyone interested. Users can search by time, date, price, age, subject and neighborhood. Classes range from Bikram Yoga to French lessons to Still Life Painting to Negotiation Skills to Cake Decorating.

Role Mommy had the opportunity to ask Nihal Parthasarathi, founder of CourseHorse, a few questions...

RM: How did you come up with the idea for CourseHorse?

NP: The idea for CourseHorse actually came out of several failed attempts to cook a decent meal. Back in early 2010, the two of us made the resolution to stop eating out as much. However, several terrible meals later we realized that we needed to take a cooking class to get down the basics. That's when we realized how hard it was to find a great cooking class that fit both of our schedules and price ranges. After talking to several dozen class providers and surveying hundreds of New Yorkers, we were ready to quit our jobs and create CourseHorse!

RM: Are there plans to expand to other cities?

NP: Absolutely! The plans to expand are already in the works, as we've had people all over the country (and the world) asking us to launch in their city next! We're keeping the next city a surprise, but stay tuned!

RM: What is the most unique kids class you have on your site?

NP: Great question! The most popular kids classes on our site this year have been:

Stunt Trampoline for Kids
Sushi Challenge
Kids Hip Hop

Now, just for our fabulous readers, they are offering 10% off any class available on CourseHorse! All you need to do is enter the code, "rolemommy" at check out. This would also make a great gift! Let us know what class you sign up for!

Posted in: Blog, Danielle's Deals, Role Mommy Recommends on 02/07/2012

Hidden Baby Bags

Hidden Baby handbags are beautiful, functional and have a little secret, each design has a baby hidden in it! The handbags are the creation on the Montague sisters - Kelsey, an artist and independent filmmaker, and Courtney, co-founder of a nonprofit helping impoverished children. The bags look great and a portion of the sales are donated to partners babies-in-need.

Now through February 8th, you can get 10% off these wonderful bags! All you need to do is enter VAL at checkout. Just visit the website www.hiddenbaby.com and shop away! These bags make great gifts as well! You will look stylish and you are helping a great cause.

Posted in: Blog, Danielle's Deals on 02/03/2012

Amazing deal at kgbdeals!

EXCLUSIVE Restaurant.com/Target Gift Card Deal From kgbdeals

Black Friday is just a couple days away, which means the holiday shopping season has officially begun! You can shop on line or brave the crowds, but whatever you do there are wonderful deals to be had. kgbdeals is offering an awesome deal! It cost only $25 for a FREE $50 Restaurant.com Gift Card, along with a $25 Target Gift Card. Buyers will have the option to choose from over 18,000 restaurants of their choice nationwide, as well as an opportunity to shop for items at Target stores and Target.com.

So grab a friend for a fun day of shopping and dining! You can pick a perfect place for lunch, and then get all the special people in your life the perfect present at Target. Sounds good to me! For more information on this deal and all the other great deals kgddelas has to offer, click here. I know this Thanksgiving I am thankful for good deals. Happy Shopping

Posted in: Blog, Danielle's Deals on 11/22/2011

HATCH

When you think about maternity clothes the word "fashionable" does not usually come to mind. When I was pregnant five years ago with my son, it was very hard for me to feel like I looked good. I may have been comfortable, but definitely not cute. Boy have things changed! Designer Ariane Goldman, founder and creator of two birds Bridesmaid, felt the same way as I did, and decided to do something about it. Ariane conceived HATCH, a collection of chic, timeless and comfortable wardrobe essentials to wear before, during and after pregnancy, so women can look beautiful through all stages of life.

At a time when well-dressed women are investing in timeless clothing that can go the distance, there is no reason to buy a dress or blouse you will only wear for nine months. And so HATCH was hatched as a finely edited collection of flattering wardrobe essentials that cool and busy women can truly wear before, during and after pregnancy. And because feeling sexy and beautiful should always go hand in hand, every HATCH piece was designed to be ultra elegant, modern and alluringly comfy. HATCH is a collection of 14 key pieces for everyday casual to dressing up and going out for a special occasion. These pieces are designed to be ageless, timeless and fit all shapes and sizes.

And, HATCH is the proud sponsor of the Every Mother Counts campaign that raises awareness of global maternity and provides people all over the world with various ways to contribute and get involved. For ever purchase made, HATCH will donate $5 to help decrease the infant and maternal mortality rate globally. I love that!

Ariane Goldman is the founder and creator of twobirds Bridesmaid, a company designed to provide women with bridesmaid dresses they can wear again and again after the wedding. In planning her own wedding in 2007, Ariane created multi-functional dresses for her own bridesmaids and twobirds is the product of the belief that being a bridesmaid never has to mean forgoing style. Becoming a global phenomenon, twobirds has been recognized everywhere from Oprah and the Today Show to Vogue, and has become the go-to dress collection among millennial brides and bridesmaids everywhere.

See below for a few examples of the amazing clothing from HATCH. For the entire collection and more information check out the website http://hatchcollection.com/

Posted in: Danielle's Deals, Role Mommy Recommends on 11/04/2011

TIMES SQUARE WARPS INTO MARIO'S 3D WORLD

New Yorkers are Invited to Play Inside Mario's World on Nov. 12
for an Advance Look at Super Mario 3D Land for Nintendo 3DS

To celebrate the launch of the Super Mario 3D Land game for the Nintendo 3DS hand-held system, Nintendo is giving fans in New York City a rare opportunity to experience how 3D significantly enhances and reinvents the beloved Mario gaming experience. Anyone who visits Times Square on Nov. 12 will be invited to play inside Mario's 3D world with life size warp pipes, trampoline coin jumps and a flag pole finale! Consumers will also have a special opportunity to play Super Mario 3D Land in advance of its official Nov.13 release date.

Attendees will also be able to enjoy:
· A performance from a mass group of Nintendo characters at the start of the event
· A set of exclusive Tanooki ears and tails as featured in the original franchise, rewarded to fans onsite throughout the event (available while supplies last).
· A "Mushroom Kingdom" Pizza truck nearby offering free mushroom pizza slices to the first 1,000 consumers onsite that tweet using the #SuperMario3D hashtag.
· Additionally, in advance of its official Nov. 13 release date, Nintendo is rewarding its biggest fans in attendance with an exclusive limited early sale of the game at Toys "R" Us located in Times Square on Nov. 12.

So don't miss this fun event for the whole family on Saturday, Nov. 12th at 10 a.m. Just go to Military Island at Times Square (Broadway and 7th Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets) And click here for more information on the amazing new game.

Posted in: Blog, Danielle's Deals on 11/03/2011

Halloween is Coming!

Can you believe that Halloween is right around the corner? My kids have been talking about halloween for months, and it's finally time to get them their costumes. Every year I dread going to one of those costume shops, waiting on line, just to find out they are out of the size I need. Now, there is an easier, and less painful way to get your kids (and perhaps you and your hubby) the perfect Halloween costume. The Amazon Halloween Shop has tons of amazing costumes to choose from. Everything from super heroes, angry birds and animals to princesses, Harry Potter characters and witches! They even have adorable costumes for your pet.

The Amazon Halloween Shop also has a great selection of candy, decorations and trick-or-treating accessories, making it a one-stop-shop for all things Halloween! As always, with many items eligible for Amazon's fast free shipping options and free returns, even last minute shoppers can skip the long lines and over picked selection at the party store.

Take a look at these adorable pictures and visit the Amazon Halloween Shop for all you need for Halloween! Many costumes are even on sale so check it out today!

Posted in: Danielle's Deals on 10/12/2011

Free USTA events!

The biggest sports and entertainment event of the summer returns to New York as the world's best tennis players descend upon Flushing Meadows in Queens for the 2011 US Open. Beginning on Monday, August 29th through Sunday, September 11th, defending champions Rafael Nadal and Kim Clijsters will attempt to repeat their 2010 triumphs in this major in front of one of the liveliest crowds in all of sports.

If you live in the tri-state area or are planning a trip to NY in August, you should definitely check out these kid-friendly, free events:

On Tuesday, August 23rd, a week before the main draw tournament, the qualifying rounds will be completely FREE to the public. Now everyone can enjoy a true US Open experience, as for the first time, the entire USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center will be up and running for the qualifying rounds. Fans can enjoy world-class tennis and entertainment, wonderful restaurants, special events and attractions, all without having to buy a ticket to the US Open.

On August 26th, the Friday before the main draw tournament starts, the USTA will attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the most people hitting a tennis ball with a racquet at 9am at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, NY. Over 500 people are expected to come out and join US tennis star Mardy Fish as they attempt to join the record books. This event, which is co-hosted by the USTA and Wilson, is free, open to the public and fans are encouraged to come and be a part of this amazing event.

Please visit http://www.usopen.org/en_US/index.html for all things US Open.

Posted in: Blog, Danielle's Deals, Role Mommy Recommends on 08/14/2011

Win a Nintendo DS Lite and Six Games!

We are happy to announce the five winners!
Congratulations to: Monique Rizzo, Josh Hamudot, Amanda Berrios, Noelle Cameron and Stanley Bondell!

What kid doesn't love video games? Just in time for those long car rides or plane trips to your summer vacation destination, FIVE lucky winners will receive a DS Lite and six games! The games are: Mario & Luigi Bowser's Inside Story, New Super Mario Bros., MarioKart DS, Mario Party DS, Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-land Mayhem and Super Mario 64 DS. These games represent some of the best-selling fan-favorite Nintendo DS games of all time.

Just in case you don't win this awesome contest, the portable Nintendo DS™ Lite system is getting a new suggested retail price of just $99.99 in the United States. The Nintendo DS family has become the best-selling video game system in history. More than 48.9 million systems in the Nintendo DS family have sold in the United States alone. Also, now six Mario™ games for Nintendo DS will receive new red packaging, making it easier than ever for consumers to identify these hit titles in stores.

"From the moment it launched, Nintendo DS Lite hit a sweet spot for consumers in terms of value, experience and fun," said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. "This new price point will introduce Nintendo DS Lite to even more consumers, and the new red packaging will make it easy for them to find their favorite Mario titles." Mario is one of the most beloved video game characters and the top video game franchise of all time. For more information about Nintendo DS Lite, visit their website now!

All you need to do for a chance to win, is fill out the form below. It's a cinch and well worth it! FIVE lucky winners will be chosen via random.org on Friday August 5th. What are you waiting for? Just picture your kids' face when you hand them their new DS and six games! Good luck.

Posted in: Blog, Danielle's Deals, giveaway central on 07/20/2011

Summer Camp in Maine; It's Tradition

For many families, sleep away camp in Maine has become the ultimate tradition. "I started at Camp in Maine at age 8 and was a camper and then a counselor until my last summer at age 21. In large measure, all those summers in Maine impacted my ultimate decision to move to Maine and raise my family here. It's a decision I've never regretted. I sent my daughter to the same camp when she was 8, and last summer, at age 27, she was an assistant director. Both my sons went to camp in Maine as well," comments Jody Sataloff of Camp Runoia, who agrees that overnight camps in Maine and tradition go hand in hand. So many camps in Maine have been around for several decades (even a century) and their core stays true to its original form. Maine was, and still is, the perfect place to build overnight camps, with miles and miles of crystal clear lakes, tall pine trees and many mountains; providing the natural backdrop to beginning and sustaining traditions.

Jim Gill, camp director of Fernwood Cove said they tweak old traditions to make them more modern; evolving traditions so that every summer will be better than the last. Even though each camp is unique, the underlying traditional feelings are the same. Most have some form of "color war," they all teach good old fashioned values, and show children how to have a deep appreciation for nature. Alex Goodman was a camper at Camp Cedar and says, "Camp Cedar is still to this day a huge part of my life. I have fond memories of my time in Casco, ME and look forward to the day when my two daughters have the same memories about Camp in Maine and when my son calls Cedar his summer home."

Traditional Maine camps teach kids how to expand their horizons. If you send your child to a specialty camp, you are limiting their exposure to new things and the ability to benefit from being with nurturing staff, and amazing friends, who really get to know you. As Ronald Hall director of Camp O-AT-KA said, "By allowing kids to do only what they are comfortable with, there is no growth." When they try new and different things, they gain self confidence. As Peter Kassen, Hidden Valley Camp put it, "Children like structure. They can relax knowing that they are safe."

There is something beautiful and sacred about the traditions at Maine camps. Knowing that past generations sang the same songs, climbed the same mountains and canoed the same rivers, is a special and unique feeling shared by scores of children who have shared lasting memories by spending their summers at camp in Maine.

To find out more about Maine Summer Camps and to enter to win (http://www.mainecampexperience.com/visit/) an unforgettable family vacation at Migis Hotels (the quintessential Maine hotel properties) - and how to save money on this summer's stay - visit the Maine Camp Experience website today (www.MaineCampExperience.com).

Posted in: Blog, Danielle's Deals, Maine Camp Experience on 07/14/2011

Little Airplane Studio

We all know that familiar tune "Wonder pets, wonder pets, we're on our way, to help the baby animal and save the day. We're not too big and we're not too tough but when we work together we've got the right stuff. Go wonder pets, yay!" If your kids are like mine, they love the wonder pets, which was created by the brilliant Josh Selig. Recently, I had the opportunity to take my kids on a tour of Little Airplane Studios, located at South Street Seaport; a studio company founded by Josh Selig in 1999. We were very lucky to have Producer Tone Thyne as our tour guide. He did an amazing job taking us to each department and explaining how and what they do in a super kid-friendly, interactive way. Little Airplane has opened up their studio for tours; so now you can bring your family for an inside look at this amazing world!

During the tour, we were introduced to writers, animators and designers who walked us through how they are involved in creating the shows. The kids were absolutely riveted the entire time. They loved seeing the computers that they use for creating all the characters. The highlight of the tour was getting to go into the recording booth and record their voices and then watch the animated characters with their voices! The whole thing was amazing and my kids couldn't stop talking about it and telling everyone how cool the tour was. Here they are in the recording booth...

I had the pleasure of meeting Josh Selig, Creator and Executive Producer for the Emmy Award-winning series "The Wonder Pets!" (Winner of the 2009 Japan Prize for Best Television Series) on Nick Jr., "3rd & Bird!" for the BBC's CBeebies and "Oobi!" also on Nick Jr. Mr. Selig has received 10 Emmy Awards for his work as a Writer on "Sesame Street" and a Humanitas Award for his work as Head Writer of "Little Bill." He was incredibly warm and welcoming. My seven year old daughter asked him where he comes up with the ideas for shows and he explained that he sees real kids all around and gets ideas from them. They work with educators to figure out the best way to teach lessons through the programming.

Here we are with Josh Selig!

I also want to tell you about something very special that Little Airplane has created... "The Olive Branch," is a series of 26 one-minute short films, produced by Little Airplane's recently established non-profit Little Light Foundation. It is written and directed by Josh Selig. The series features traditional hand-drawn animation by Pablo Smith ("The Wonder Pets!", "3rd & Bird") and is made entirely in Little Airplane's New York studio. The music is composed by Emmy Award-winning composer, J. Walter Hawkes. To ensure that children in all countries - rich and poor, developed and developing - will have an equal opportunity to see "The Olive Branch," Little Airplane has taken the extraordinary step of offering the program to broadcasters for one unit of their own currency per episode. To view the "Olive Branch" premiere episode please click this link: www.littlelightfoundation.org

We were even able to get a sneak peek at some of the new shows coming out soon. One of them is called "Small Potatoes", which my kids can not wait to see! They even made me into a small potato!

I highly recommend taking your family to South Street Seaport to tour Little Airplane Studios in their wonderful historic building and check out all the fun things to do at the seaport while you are there! If you live in the tri-state area or you are coming to New York for a visit, this is a fabulous activity. In my opinion the tour is ideal for kids ages three to eight.

*Their tours run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:00 am and 4:00 pm. They also offer one Saturday tour per month. Reservations are required and can be made by calling us at 212-965-8999. The tours are limited to groups of ten and the cost for the tours is $10 per person. This fee is used to support Little Airplane Productions' mission, "To create and produce the finest educational preschool programming in the world." The tours are held at our production studio at 207 Front Street in New York's historic South Street Seaport. For more information, visit the Little Airplane studio website.

Posted in: Blog, Danielle's Deals, Role Mommy Recommends on 06/29/2011