Vacation Reduces Multi-Minding and Increases Opportunities for Marketing

Getting out of the work routine for a few weeks has tremendous, positive impact. I spent an incredible amount of time with my kids and husband, stayed up late, slept in and indulged at the spa. That's because of the things I did NOT do -- work, spend time in the car, keep up the house, get kids to activities, grocery shop every few days and multi-mind to the degree I normally need to to accomplish everything that's on my list.

Given my schedule was far less pressed, I was actually open to thinking about or trying new things. I strolled through the grocery store at the beach and looked at and tried new foods and wines. I scanned the local reviews to find the best crab cakes and then made a trip expressly to buy them. The welcome basket at the beach house provide a pasta sauce I had never used before. We tried it and liked it.

In short, the more relaxed atmosphere vacations provide are great opportunities for marketers to catch women in a more accepting frame or mind, and with more time, to try something new.When are you most likely to try something new? Let me know.

Pre-vacation Motivation

There's nothing like the thought of an upcoming vacation to motivate me into major check-off the check list mode. New business proposal, check. Bills paid, check. Flowers planted, check. Sun screen, goodie bags for car ride, bottle of champagne for arrival, check.

Father's day gift? With just three days until vacation departure, I'll never make it to Lowe's, Home Depot or Dick's Sporting Goods, the hubby's favs. So, just went online and ordered what he's been lusting for... a new outdoor fire pit, wood-burning, of course. No travel time. No $4.00 a gallon gas needed. And guess what? No shipping charges! Considering the fire pit is 58 pounds, that's a huge bonus. www.firepits.com if any of you want to do the same.

And one more tip on a very nice etailer... www.pilotwear.com. Was looking for a Red Baron airplane at the request of my seven-year-old son for his birthday. Knew it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack at retail, so found one quickly at pilotwear.com. I ordered the red Baron and another model I thought he'd like that was black, but then he told me he does not like black planes. I replied back to the e-mail order confirmation and received a nice note from Steve at pilotwear, assuring me the change would be made and I would not be charged.

Nice to get a note from a person with a name who assured me I was being taken care of. More etailers should do the same.

New Book Helps Moms with Transition to Big Bed

As a busy mom, I have oftened turned to books written by moms, web sites for moms and other moms for advice on a variety of things ranging from everyday challenges like getting kids to eat veggies to big transitions like moving into a big bed from a crib.

A new book by first-time author Rita Bergstein, “Your Own Big Bed,” is a delightful story that shares encouragement about an important milestone in a child's life -- transitioning to their own big bed. Published by Viking, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group in New York, this delightful story shares encouragement about an important milestone in a child’s life - transitioning to their own big bed. Published by Viking, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group, the book has been receiving very positive reviews from book clubs and parenting blogs nationwide.

If you are in the Pittsburgh area, a book signing is scheduled for Thursday, May 29 4:00-7:00 and Saturday, May 31, 11:00-2:00 at Cia’s, A Gallery of Fine Jewelry, Gifts and Art. Cia’s is located one mile west of the Turnpike on Route 30, in Irwin Plaza, across from Irwin Bank. The beautifully illustrated, hard cover book is available for sale at Cia’s for $15.99.

Good luck and let me know how you like the book.

Who Influences What You Wear?

I've talked recently with several companies that sell women's clothes. Seems like the dynamics in apparel are changing, just like in many other product categories. Busy women seem to be turning away from celebrities, models and an ideal of fashion to more realistic images and what makes them look best.

Who or what do you turn to for fashion advice or an opinion on what to buy? Is your sister a fav web site serving as your short-cut to buying that next pair of jeans or shoes? Who holds the most sway?

Take the poll at the right-hand side of this blog or e-mail me and let me know what you are doing to determine what to wear and where to shop.

Hope It Was a Great Mother's Day

It was a rainy, cold day here for Mother's Day, the perfect weather for staying inside and making a fort, or a boat (as we did), out of couch cushions. No e-mail, no travel, just a slow-paced, whole day with my family. Perfect!

Hope your Mother's Day was everything you wanted.

I am wondering about Mother's Day gifts -- what did you get for your mother and why did you decide to get her that particular item? Where did you get your idea or recommendation? Where did you shop? What did you get and where did your husband or child get their idea?

Let me know about your Mother's Day gifts.

A Multi-Minding Cab Ride

As a working and traveling mom, I spend a good deal of time in cabs. It's usually a time to make and return phone calls and organize receipts. Down time is simply not an option!

In New York, yesterday, I stepped into a cab that actually helped my multi-tasking and multi-minding. A video screen in the cab provided some news and feature stories of interest to women. The touch screen enabled the rider to control the volume and to pick options of items to view. There was even a banner ad for a "great two-bedroom in Chelsea for under $1M with storage and outdoor space."

In a cab, you are certainly a captive audience with relatively low expectations about the ride. This ride enabled me to learn a bit about autistic kids through a news feature and even hear two movie reviews.

Now, if I only had time to go see a movie!

Any interesting tools you have seen that help us make more of our busy day?

Blogs Provide Short-Cuts to Purchases

We busy women are always looking for short-cuts in researching purchases. Many times, we turn to friends and family for recommendations on a variety of categories.

Many of you have told me that mommy blogs are playing an increasing role in serving as a resource for recommendations. I've also noticed more and more blogs dedicating more time and space to product reviews.

How many of you are using blogs as a source for recommendations? Do the product reviews drive you to purchase?

Let me know. I'd love to hear.