Car & Caboodle

Ford Flex Finds Cheap Gas for You?

2008-07-04T15:37:44Z

We're excited to check out the new Ford Flex and explore it's many option. Is finding cheaper gas one of those options?

Chrysler to offer unconnect wireless hotspot as $449 option

2008-07-04T14:36:55Z

Chrysler announced pricing last week for its new unconnect web Wireless Internet Service, according to AutoWeek online.

Internet Service that will be provided by Autonet Mobile, costs $29 a month, with a $35 activation fee. One-, two- and three-year plans are available. The technology arrives in August as a Chrysler Mopar accessory.

No details as to what band and transfer rate the router utilizes or what connection speeds are offered by Autonet have been provided. Chrysler says the hot-spot connection has a radius of about 100 feet around the vehicle. It works wherever cell-phone service is available, and all passengers in the car can connect wi-fi-enabled devices, including laptops, PDAs and video-game consoles.

In a day and age when an industry-leading LinkSys WRT54G can be had at your local big-box retailer for under $50, this seems like another horribly overpriced Detroit option. Time will tell if wireless internet in the car will become de rigeur technology on down the road.

In the Bag: 5 Essentials to Celebrate the 4th of July

2008-07-03T13:25:59Z

The Trip: This Friday,everyone is invited to a birthday party for the USA!!! Whether it be to a backyard BBQ, a trip to the beach or an evening under the fireworks, here are a few things that will make your 4th extra special.

The Bag: From Vera Bradley's Seaside Collection, this Port Tote is a beautiful display of red, white, and blue. Check out the other pieces in the Seaside Collection as well.

A Cozy Place to Sit: Whether at the park, the beach, or your neighbor's backyard, this waterproof blanket from Tuffo has room for the whole family.

Protect Their Ears: Little ones may love to watch the fireworks, but the loud noise can be pretty scary. Protect their ears and allow them to enjoy the show with these earplugs by Mack specifically designed for children. These work great for flying and swimming as well.

Fireworks in Your Mouth: The 4th always makes me think of Pop Rocks. Find these and almost any other blasts from your candy past at Nostalgic Candy.

Light Up the Night: The kids will have a great time with these Patriotic Glow Swizzle Light Sticks from Oriental Trading. These are a safe alternative to sparklers for the littlest patriots, and they'll last a lot longer, too.

God Bless the USA: No matter where your celebration takes you, all you need for a safe and happy 4th of July is in the bag.

Safety Tuesday: Backup Dangers

2008-07-01T15:44:51Z

This report shows some sobering footage about the lack of visibility behind large vehicles and suggestions for what you and your family can do to minimize the dangers.

Keep Kids Busy When Out to Dinner

2008-07-01T04:26:08Z

Fine family eateries have long known the art of successful family dining is often about letting the kids make art on the table. And, no, not the food variety. Many restaurants offer crayons and write-on menus but you never really know what you are in for when you dine out. Is there anything worse than a lame menu and those waxy crayons that break and don't work? What's up with the places that give you a yellow crayon and a menu photocopied onto green paper to color on. Do they really want to hear that tantrum?

Best to BYO and take matters into your own hands and keep this Doodles at Dinner Pad in the car somewhere. It's a whole stack of tear off placemats that promise to entertain. Not a lame one amongst them. Just be sure to pack some decent crayons to go with (we like this tin of high quality Stockmar crayons) and you may actually get to enjoy your own meal.

VW Ad: Unpimp your Ride

2008-06-30T20:16:47Z

Check out this funny VW ad. Representing Deutschland, yo!

Pimp My Ride: Sony Portable DVD Player

2008-06-30T13:59:19Z

On our last road trip from Columbia, SC to Cincinnati, OH, we used my husband's laptop computer to play Baby Einstein movies for our son. Since my SUV does not have factory-installed DVD screens, we jimmy rigged a whole system using an A/C adapter, some rubber bands and wiring running all the way to the trunk, where the largest voltage connectors were located. It worked, but it wasn't pretty. So, what's a road tripping family to do? Go get a Sony DVP-FX820 portable DVD player from Dell, where it is being sold for $169.99 and free shipping!

With it's vibrant 800x480 resolution screen and long battery life (though not quite the 6 hours that Sony claims), this device is sure to keep everyone entertained on the road. The swivel screen and 2 headphone jacks make back seat sharing a little easier, and there is a car adapter for when the battery begins to run low.

This portable DVD player is sure to make a six hour trip feel shorter for you and your back seat wigglers!

In The Bag: 5 Essentials to go Sailing

2008-06-28T00:30:38Z

The Trip: Take the family and hit the high seas. Sailing is a great activity that the whole gang will enjoy.

The Bag: What could be more perfect for toting all your sailing essentials than this fabulous recycled boat sail tote? With pockets inside and out, this self-standing tote with watertight lining is both practical and fashionable.

Got Shade? Out on the water, probably not. So don't forget to pack a hat to keep the sun off your face and frizzies at bay. Check out this and other hats from Helly Hansen.

Reading Material: Why not bring a couple books for the kids that entertain and teach about sailing? Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey is a great choice. Check out The Buzzards Sailing School website for more suggested reading.

Waste Free Dining: Pack everyone their own gourmet meal in this Bento Box by Laptop Lunches. The 5 reusable containers inside the outer box will allow you to pack whatever you or your little sailor wants without having to worry about waste and trash on the high seas.

We've Said it Before: And we are going to keep saying it: Hydrate, hydrate hydrate! These stainless bottles from Kleen Kanteen are a great way to keep everyone hydrated. They even make some with sippy tops for your littlest shipmates.

Before You Board: Don't forget the sunscreen and a outer layer in case the winds really pick up. With all these essentials, a perfect day of sailing is in the bag.

Dashboard Confessions: Easier Now to Win a Bugaboo Frog!

2008-06-27T07:00:25Z

Strollers. They are an indispensible part of parenthood, and to those with young babies and toddlers, going anywhere without them seems like sheer madness. But wait, what's that you got in there? Is that your child or your laundry?

This week Dashboard Confessions leaves the motor behind in an awesome giveaway sponsored by the Stroller Gurus at LetsGoStrolling.com. One lucky winner will be pushing their kid or whatever else pleases them in a posh Bugaboo Frog!

Whether you use your stroller as a shopping cart at the grocery store, a swag wagon at the mall or a picnic basket at the soccer field, we'd like to hear all about it. Tell us the most funny, outrageous or inventive use you have found for your stroller, and you will be entered to win a Bugaboo Frog from Car and Caboodle and Lets Go Strolling.

Here's how to enter:

1. Go to LetsGoStrolling.com and window shop for your favorite diaper bag or stroller.

2. Go to the comments field below and use it to tell us the wacky ways you have used your past and present strollers.

3. Also tell us which of the strollers or bags on the Lets Go Strolling site caught your fancy.

4. Hit submit!

Please note: Entries that do not meet the above requirements, will be disqualified. One lucky winner will win a Bugaboo Frog Stroller (retail value $759)! Winner will be chosen at random from all entries received before 11:00 PM ~~Friday July 4th~~ Friday July 11th.

Editors Note: We have extended the deadline on this contest and changed the requirements for entry (no video required now, but if you have one to share, please do!). We know you are busy and don't want you to miss out on this awesome contest!

An End to Map Folding Woes...

2008-06-26T20:13:58Z

New from Rand McNally is this brilliant map that solves the age old problem of refolding your travel maps. Crumple it in a ball, drape it on the dash. It's printed on microfiber and is completely fold-error proof. It is also tear proof and washable, and excellent for cleaning your sunglasses. Not sure about using it to clean your kids, but you never know - it might work in a pinch. I have pronounced this product sheer genius! Buy yours at the Rand McNally Store.

Must Have List Pads For Every Traveler

2008-06-26T18:16:47Z

Whenever I go on trips I’m always writing lists of things to do, things to bring, things not to forget etc. I invariably forget to write something down and then I kick myself when I get to my destination having forgot that one item. Which is why I am so glad I found Buttoned Up’s TravelPrep.pad and lobotoME’s packME pads.

Buttoned Up’s TravelPrep.pad is really great for helping to start the ball rolling on getting your trip together. TravelPrep.pad helps you to make all of the reservations and not forget the little details in planning your trip.

lobotME makes the packME pad, a checklist type pad for when you’re ready to start packing. It’s absolutely wonderful, and it has columns so you can pack for more then one person. The fact that I can pull these two pads out, and not have to ever think out what needs to be done on my next trip, is such a wonderful time saver. Plus the price is so right, how can you not get them?

Car & Caboodle Readers: Precious Personalities carries both pads and you can get 15% off of your entire order by using code MWS15

Top 5 Places For Families in Queens, New York

2008-06-26T01:40:10Z

Shopping: We love Trader Joe's on Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills. We love their fresh, mostly organic products that won't break the bank. My toddler loves to grab a snack at the demo station. While I wish that they carried some mainstream brands (no Hellman's Mayo here), but we love their salad dressings, frozen foods (samosas anyone?) and fresh, mostly organic produce. Their reusable shopping bags are reasonable (we stocked up) and now use them for all of our grocery shopping.

Dining: Dani's House of Pizza right in the heart of Kew Gardens, NY, is a family-owned Italian joint that serves delicious pizza in the front part, and even more wonderful Italian classics in their small dining room. Bring your own booster seat (sorry, no highchairs) and stash your stroller in your trunk (it's really a tiny place). The prices are a steal and we've never gone home unsatisfied! The waitresses are sweet and treat you like family. My son has his first taste of red sauce here.

Play: We love going to Forest Park - the third largest park in Queens. We can hit the playground, through a ball around on the grass, walk a trail, or even go horseback riding (we're going to wait until my toddler is much older though!). The shady park makes it an ideal destination on a really sunny day (and you can find lots of parking on the street). Now that ther weather's better in NYC, the frog sprinklers are on!

Educational: We absolutely adore the NY Hall of Science. The toddler play area is a great place to let your little ones run around safely. They have new exhibits constantly, plus a fantastic new outside playground. We are members and take full advantage of this museum. On Sundays they have a Farmer's Market in the parking lot.

Entertaining Out of Towners: Since we usually entertain our friends with babies, we like to head back to Manhattan and hit either the Museum of Natural History or the fun Baby Loves Disco party.

Honda begins FCX Clarity production

2008-06-24T18:23:50Z

The New York Times reports that yesterday the first Honda FCX Clarity rolled off the production line in Takanezawa, Japan.

The hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle costs more than $100,000 to produce but is available to lease (only in California) for $600 per month. Honda officials chose California because of the high availability of hydrogen pumping stations.

The FCX Clarity looks like a cross between a Prius and a Mercedes CLS, is around the same size as an Acura RL, gets the equivalent of 74MPG, and can go 0-60 in under 9 seconds. One can expect to get 280 or so miles on a tank, and the best part: the only thing coming out of the tailpipe is steam.

Honda President Takeo Fukui handed Hollywood producer Ron Yerxa the keys to Clarity #001 and actress Jamie Lee Curtis will be receiving hers next week.

Safety Tuesday: Creating an Emergency Auto Kit

2008-06-24T15:41:44Z

Have you put any thought into putting together an emergency preparedness kit for your car? Here's some suggestions for what you need and how to do it!

Pimp My Ride: MacFamilies Can Stay On The Road

2008-06-24T01:55:54Z

A couple of years ago I was converted to the other side. The world of Apple. My iMac is my best friend for all of my crazy and varying projects, and I am about to purchase a MacBook to make my craziness more portable.

The problem:

Due to Apple's extreme licensing policies, there is often a lack of third-party accessories on the market, which means if an Apple accessory is lacking in any way, you are just up the creek.

Until recently, the only way to charge your MacBook in the car was to use a product put out by Mike Lee, a.k.a Mikegyver. Using a stick of gum, a cotton ball, a strand of hair, and a cigarette lighter, he came up with a third party power adapter for the MacBook that could work in the car. Okay, so he didn't really use some random items that found while imprisoned in some '80s adventure, but he managed to legitimately use Apple technology to piece something together. Since then, iGo has come up with a new solution, iGo everywhere130 notebook power adapter. Mikegyver.com even mentions it as "better" compared to their own "good" product. iGo picks up where other companies have left off by including the correct connection tip for your notebook. It will even power your mobile device or MP3 player at the same time as the notebook!

On the iGo website, the adapter is sold with the necessary tips for $149.99. My fellow MacGeek families out there will agree that it's well worth it for your preschooler to be happily playing Dora the Explorer: Animal Adventures while you are driving down to the beach!