In my previous post, Put a Bow on It: Dell Inspiron One 2320 All-In-One, I shared many, many reasons why I love the Dell Inspiron One desktop computer. If you weren’t paying attention (shame on you!), just click the link above and prepare to be blown away with all the amazing features. Remember, it has officially earned the title of “Best Holiday Gift of 2011″ in my books. Sweet!
Today, I want to show you why my little guys love it.
This year, I’m already a hero!
(Thanks to Toshiba, of course – and the sweet 55″-Passive-3D-1080p-with-LED-backlighting-and-3D-Blu-ray-player they dropped off at my home. Wait, do I sound like Ralphie in a Christmas story?)
You too can recognize the heroes in your life:
“Toshiba’s Nominate a Hero contest invites you to pay it forward by nominating a hero in your life who has helped you in a memorable way. By submitting your story and a photo, you will have the opportunity to select from 3 available prize packs that your hero could potentially win if they are selected as one of the top three winners. As a bonus, you will also receive a Toshiba Tablet if your hero is selected as one of three winners. Check the Toshiba Canada Facebook Page for more details.” (more…)
This post requires a full, passionate disclaimer: I am NOT a techie. I don’t speak the lingo, salivate over dual-core processors (or even know what it refers to), and I certainly can’t keep up with ever-changing technology. So if you’re a mobile phone enthusiast who has Googled the Motorola XT860 4G and landed on this review, I apologize – it may not be exactly what you’re looking for.
However, if you’re a gal like me – a mama who needs a phone that makes social media (and life) easy – then read on, friend, read on.
Now I’ve always been an iPhone kind of gal, mainly because a) it’s what my husband promotes, b) he told me it’s pretty great, and c) is for clueless and that’s good enough for me.
So when sent the brand-spankin’ new Motorola XT860 4G (exclusive to Bell Mobility), I must admit I was more than a little curious. Not only would I be one of the first to tap, touch and tweet on this much hyped-about superphone, but I was also incredibly excited to enter the world of techie reviews.
Oy.
After exclusively using this phone for just over a month, I’ve come to realize that there is simply no way I’ll ever be able to cover everything I want to. So I’ll just give you the highlights: (more…)
Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.
Now I’m not quite sure if anyone has been taking notes, but y’all may have noticed that Reid’s bedroom has been missing from the before/after footage of my recent Reno-cation. Ta-da! Here we go…
Reno-cation: Reid’s Room
Creating a new room for Reid was both happy and heartbreaking for me. On one hand, I was quite content to move his crib out of our master bedroom (we’ve since changed the space to a sitting area, complete with cream leather couch). But giving Reid a new dwelling also meant that we’d be removing all traces of Ryder’s old nursery, a room that I had put so much time, thought and love into.
Alas, children grow up, and Ryder has a smashing new bedroom, so it was time to introduce Reid to the place he’d be hanging out for much of his childhood.
BEFORE
Unfortunately, I only remembered to take pictures when the room was just ready to be painted, so I can only really show a limited “before” room. We had previously painted the room in a muted sky blue, and my father-in-law had added a sunset theme on top.
AFTER
As you can see, the above video was filmed with my new Kodak Playtouch Video Camera. It totally rocks! I was pleased as punch to receive the camera for review from Kodak Canada. Please excuse my slightly shaking hand – I’ve got a sprained finger and it was hard to hold steady :(
NOTES
The paint colour we chose was Para Paints #P5040-34 Double Bogey. It may be difficult to discern the exact colour in the video, so here’s a paint chip for you. There’s actually a LOT more yellow that shines through when on the walls, making it an authentic pea green – as opposed to our main bathroom, which is more of a mint green. It’s in the same happy, upbeat family as Ryder’s sea blue – perfect for two, happy and upbeat little boys!
On to the video camera -
Read this:
“Go ahead. Touch it. You know you want to. Its unique touchscreen lets you glide through HD video like never before. That’s the beauty of the Kodak Playtouch Video Camera. It puts the high-end features you want right at your fingertips. With on-screen editing, you can easily keep the moments you want and trim the ones you don’t. And when you’re ready to turn today’s escapades into tomorrow’s buzz, getting them online is easier than ever. Just press the Share button and your videos are automatically ready for the Web.”
I LOVE this video camera! There are so many features I honestly don’t know where to begin. From a high level, the camera is stylish, very easy to navigate from the get-go, takes stunning pictures and full 1080p HD video, and fits into just about every pocket (even those attached to skinny jeans).
The features that rock my world:
One-button upload. With the Share button and Kodak’s Share button app, sharing your pictures is ridiculously simple. After you record your video or take a picture, press the “Share” button directly on the touchscreen. You can then tag it to YouTube, Facebook, or even send it to someone via e-mail! Then, once your Playtouch is connected to your computer, and with Kodak’s Share button app, your videos and pictures are automatically uploaded (and simultaneously transferred to your computer). Could it be easier?
Video recording in True 1080p HD. Pop in a SD/SDHC card and record up to 10 hours of HD video – my husband’s favourite feature! We can shoot up close or over the horizon, and even enjoy playback on the device with courtesy of the bright 7.6 cm LCD touchscreen.
Edit in the palm of your hand. That’s right – you can make changes to your video, such as trimming and extracting a still image, directly on the Playtouch.
Choose your effects. YOU be the director; choose from a variety of resolutions and capture effects, including black and white, sepia, high saturation, and 1970’s film look! You can also take 5 MP HD still pictures, which makes it the one of the most versatile video cameras on the market!
Click here for a full list of Kodak Playtouch features and specifications.
You can also purchase an incredible range of accessories for the Playtouch, including tripods, a fisheye lens, remote controls, cases and more!
(BONUS: Save 20% on accessories with any new digital camera purchase until June 19th, 2011 at Kodak.ca.)
We take the Kodak Playtouch everywhere we go, because you never know when you’ll stumble on a Kodak Moment. The Playtouch is available in four (4) colours – chrome, black, teal and orange – so you can match your camera to your personality!
The Kodak Playtouch Video Camera retails for $179.95 and can be purchased from Kodak.ca.
One lucky Listen to Lena! reader will win a Kodak Playtouch Video Camera! To enter, simply visit Kodak.ca and choose your favourite feature of the Playtouch. Then, leave a comment here telling us what it is.
You can also qualify for extra entries! Remember, you must leave a separate comment for each. You can:
(1) Visit Kodak.ca and choose one other product that catches your eye. Then, leave a separate comment telling us what it is.
(2) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena!
(3) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(4) NEW Follow Listen to Lena! on Twitter
(5) Tweet daily: Please use this Kodak Playtouch Giveaway Tweet.
I’ll draw for a winner on June 30th. Good luck everybody!
And… we’ve still got the Air Purifier going every single day, even though our renovations are now complete. It is SO effective at removing cooking smells, dust and germs from the air – everyone is breathing better!
If you missed my review the first time around, read on! And, good luck!
If I had to sum up my entire Reno-cation in one word, it would be…
MESSY.
You know – dusty, dirty, disorganized… just… messy. From the onset of the renovations, I was more than a little concerned about the level of dust and debris that would surely invade the air in our home, especially since:
1) I suffer from wicked allergies to dust
2) My husband is a recovering asthmatic
3) We’ve got two little boys with tender lungs
So when the good folks at Sharp asked if I’d like to review their new Plasmacluster Air Purifier with Humidifying Function, I all but danced for joy. Cleaner, healthier air? Yes please!
The air purifier offers a unique combination of air treatment technologies to make you and your family more comfortable, whatever the season (spring reno-cations included!). Bacteria, germs, mold spores, pollen, pet dander, smoke, dust and odors are removed from the air with ease, thanks to an ultra quiet fan that draws air through a three-stage filter system while the revolutionary Plasmacluster Ion Technology actively refreshes the air.
But that’s not all – for an even more comfortable environment, the unit’s sensors constantly monitor the air quality in the room, adjusting the fan for air purity while providing the optimum humidity level. This combination of features is a smart way to choose cleaner, healthier, more breathable air.
My favourite features:
- New Humidification Function adds humidity to the air for more comfortable air quality, especially in colder weather. It also helps reduce static electricity that results from dry air.
- True HEPA Filter captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns from the air that passes through it, including pollen, mold, pet dander and dust.
- Plasmacluster Technology splits water molecules into positively and negatively charged ions which spread throughout the room. This system effectively refreshes the air similiar to the way nature cleans the environment near waterfalls or just after a thunderstorm.
- Clean Sign Indicator shows the level of impurities in the air passing through the filter so it’s easy to see the progress as healthier, cleaner air is returned into the room.
- Library Quiet operation is ideal for bedrooms and living rooms. Silent Mode is as quiet as 22 decibels, about the volume of rustling leaves. The KC-850U is among the quietest Air Purifiers with a true HEPA filter available anywhere.
- Energy Efficient operation means it’s easy on the wallet. With its advanced technologies, it is 35% more energy-efficient than standard models, making it ENERGY STAR qualified. So it can operate all the time, saving money while improving the quality of the air.
- Ultra Long Life HEPA Filters require changing only once every five years so operating costs are low.
We received the air purifier shortly after renovations began; therefore, the air was already littered with faint paint odors and dust from sanding walls and moving furniture. Set-up was incredibly simple – just plug and go, really. The display was intuitive, easy to follow and offered both manual and automatic operation settings. Since I’m all about convenience, I set the unit to automatic and prepared for a life altering experience.
Don’t laugh; I’m quite serious.
Within two hours (yes – that quickly) I could already detect a noticeable difference in the quality of air. Now I can’t put my finger on it, but it just seemed easier to breathe in and out.
Real results include:
1) My eyes, which had been streaked with red for much of the first few days, cleared after several hours (and have stayed that way). Allergies be gone!
2) My husband, who normally complains of breathing difficulties due to asthma, had his first completely restful night in years. He couldn’t stop raving about how well he slept (and is sleeping) – it makes us wonder how we ever lived without it.
3) Upon cleaning the air, there were virtually no noticeable paint fumes whatsoever: that’s pretty awesome considering we painted the ENTIRE house!
Now as we used the air purifier during warmer months, and since humidity and drying paint don’t necessarily mix, we didn’t have a chance to review the humidifier features of the unit. But, I very much look forward to putting it to the test this fall and winter!
Two things you may be wondering:
Q. Does the Air Purifier make a noticeable sound? Is it noisy?
A. According to Sharp Canada, and as mentioned above, the “Silent Mode is as quiet as 22 decibels, about the volume of rustling leaves.” This is incorrect. The truth is, it’s MUCH quieter than rustling leaves. You can’t hear it at all! I promise, you won’t even know it’s there.
Q. So did you see the results? How much junk did it pull out of the air?
A. Yes, we saw results! And you can too – here’s the filter after just one week – look at all those fuzzies – some of them overflowing and collecting in between the filter pads.
To think – that could have been in our nose, throat and lungs! We are so happy with the air purifier and truly believe its a wonderful addition to the health and wellness of your family.
Click here to learn about the Sharp Plasmacluster Air Purifier.
The Sharp Plasmacluster Air Purifier retails for $449.99 and can be purchased from reputable dealers nationwide. Click here to find a dealer near you.
Here’s your chance to breathe easier! One lucky Listen to Lena! reader will win a Sharp Plasmacluster Air Purifier (value $449.99). To enter, simply visit Sharp online and learn more about the product. Then, leave a comment here telling us about your favourite feature(s) of the Air Purifier.
I’ll draw for a winner on June 30th. Good luck everybody!
Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.
When it came time to re-do our home office, I had but three wishes:
1) Go wireless. I hate wires! They’re so messy and in addition to presenting a fire hazard, they’re not child-friendly at all. Plus, portability is a major factor when you’ve got two laptops, two children and about fourteen potential blogging locations (bathroom floor included).
2) Keep it tidy. A lot easier to do when the wires are gone! Seriously, though, keeping an area clutter-free is one of my weak points. My husband likens me to a Tasmanian Devil, leaving a path of destruction everywhere I go (guess the kids do take after me!). So I’ve had to work extra hard to stay clean and organized.
3. Multitask. I’m a busy gal. I measure my days in productivity: how many blog posts were written, how many dishes were done, how many Duct Cleaning telemarketer calls were avoided. I live for the words “All in One”.
Therefore the new HP Photosmart e-Station All in One Printer suits me very well, indeed.
The state-of-the-art HP Photosmart eStation All-in-One is the perfect device to keep your family connected. Beyond being a fabulous all in one printer, copier, scanner and fax, the e-Station also boasts the HP Zeen; a detachable, 7-inch, full-colour wireless companion that allows you to browse and print the web, watch movies, read books and listen to music.
(I know. Totally awesome, right?)
So essentially, in between printing documents (which is absolutely seamless – read below), I can take my Zeen tablet with me to check my Facebook, read e-books, watch videos and much, much more. I frequently use the companion when I’m hanging out in the back with the kids – much more user-friendly than a tiny phone screen, and much less bulky than a laptop – it’s the perfect way to stay connected.
Upping the WOW! factor is the ability to download apps for the whole family. With partners like Kraft, Mapquest and Disney, you can print coupons for your shopping list, search a map for that out-of-town party, and bookmark activities to keep your kids entertained – all without using a PC.
It gets better.
First and foremost, the HP Photosmart e-Station is a printer. But it’s light years ahead of your standard inkjet: HP ePrint lets you print and share your favorite family memories anywhere, anytime. Each web-connected printer has a unique email address, meaning you can send photos and documents from any email-enabled device. This means that you can print at your convenience – whether it’s across the room, or across town!
Think about it: You’re out at the park. Snap a pic on your mobile phone, and e-mail it to the e-Station; the high quality picture will be printed and waiting for you upon your return! You can also have the office, your friends, family (or yourself!) e-mail documents straight to the printer. It’s truly a breeze!
And the quality? Superb, of course. Remember my little DIY project for Ryder’s Room? Here’s my sequence of events:
1. In the basement, surfing the Internet on my HP Zeen.
2. Found a picture I thought would be fun to frame, as it matched the theme of the room.
3. Sent the picture to my HP e-Station.
4. Played with my boys. Went grocery shopping. Ate dinner. Tucked boys in bed.
4. Picked up my print from the printer; mounted in on cardstock, framed it.
In the mood to get away? From June 1st through 30th, visit HP Canada on Facebook for their HP Print Away contest! One lucky winner will win a 7-day, all-inclusive trip to a tropical destination, and TEN lucky participants will have the chance to win the HP Photosmart eStation! Link on over for full contest details!
Shop HP’s online store for all the latest HP products. The HP Photosmart e-Station retails for $399 – which, of course, goes a long way when you consider it’s six products in one!
HP Canada has generously offered Listen to Lena! readers the chance to win an HP Photosmart e-Station! (Value $399). To enter, simply visit HP online and pick out another item that would make your life a lot easier. Then, leave a comment here telling us about it, and why.
You can also qualify for extra entries! Remember, you must leave a separate comment for each. You can:
(1) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena!
(2) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(3) NEW Follow Listen to Lena! on Twitter
(4) “Like” HP Canada on Facebook
(5) Follow HP_PC on Twitter
(6) Tweet daily about this giveaway: Please use this HP e-Station Giveaway Tweet.
I’ll draw for a winner on June 30th. Good luck everybody!
*EDIT* If you’re not feeling the large headphones, you can now grab the earbuds for just $9.96! They’re regularly $29.99, so you’ll save a cool $20.03. Also available in green/ blue or pink/ orange, and also Stocking Stuffer material!
JBL audio expertise, matched with the ROXY design, has resulted in the powerful Reference 230 earbud headphones. The earbuds fit comfortably for hours of music enjoyment. The stylish colour and design let you show your personality while providing comfort for long periods. The Reference 230 earbuds give great sound reproduction with amazing highs and lows that bring music to life.
Click here to shop at The Source.
I came across this deal on Smart Canucks, and after some investigation, have decided it’s blog worthy for The Stocking Stuffer Series.
For a limited time at The Source, you can grab Roxy Reference 430 headphones for only $19.96, a savings of $60.03! (I’ve seen them everywhere for $79.99, so I do believe this is a pretty sweet deal.) To entice you further, you can enter code TS828 to receive an additional 10% off! Save the shipping costs and pick up at your local store.
Lightweight, compact, and easy-to-use the ROXY Reference 430 headphones are a great way to listen to your music. Equipped with a 3.5mm jack you can use these headphones with compatible MP3 players, cell phones, and iPods. They have padded cushions to give you long-lasting comfort and better background noise cancellation so you can concentrate on your music and not what’s happening around you. Keep your headphones ready for the next use by stashing them in the included pouch.
The headphones are available in green/blue or pink/orange. Please note that they may fit a little small based on the opinion of one reviewer: “Surprisingly good sound, especially the bass. However, it will squeeze your head like a walnut – maybe build for kids?”
Hmmm. Well, I’m a pin-head, so perhaps I should grab a set right away!!
Too good to be true? Only if you miss out!
I received the heads up from FabFind Toronto that tomorrow, October 6th, will be EPIC…
Read This:
FabFind is an online dealmaker that partners with local businesses to create limited quantity deals that are offered at wallet friendly prices. As opposed to group-buying concepts that require consumers to buy en masse, FabFind rewards individuals who are quick to buy. Previous deals featured on the site have ranged from $25 massages to giving away 7000 free gourmet frozen yogurts.
“We may do crazy things at times, but our customers always benefit. We continuously offer deals that make a lot of people scratch their heads and wonder how we do it. If thousands of people hadn’t already been given free products or services on our site, I’m not sure anyone would even believe that we were actually selling iPads for $10,” says FabFind CEO Bill Heilmann.
A limited number of iPads will go on sale this Wednesday, October 6th at www.fabfind.com. The exact time when the iPads are available for purchase will be announced simultaneously on Twitter via @fabfindtoronto and on the FabFind Facebook Fan Page. Purchases will be entirely on a first-come, first-serve basis.
About FabFind
Launched in July 2010, FabFind is a social commerce site that is designed to help connect quality local businesses with great new customers. By negotiating deeply-discounted, limited quantity deals, FabFind creates can’t-refuse offers that compel consumers to sample various products and services. Taking the “pay-it-forward” spirit of sharing one step further, FabFind offers members a market leading “save-it-forward” incentive program that monetizes social networks.
If you’re in the market for an iPad, I’d be liking FabFind on Facebook and following FabFind Toronto on Twitter tout suite!!!
Saw this deal on Canadian Daily Deals and wanted to share…
TODAY only, September 2, Best Buy is selling the HP Pavilion 15.6″ Laptop featuring AMD Sempron M120 (Refurbished) for just $299.
This HP G61 series laptop will become your go-everywhere companion. It can carry 250GB of your important files, lets you watch movies, and wirelessly surf the web on the 15.6″ HD display. It’s also powered by an AMD Sempron processor and 3GB of RAM so you’ve got what you need to connect with your digital world quickly and easily.
Comparable laptops retail anywhere from $500-$649, so I’d definitely give this one a second look. I’m currently blogging from a similar model and am pleased as punch with my purchase.
Looking for a hip camera case to protect your precious memories? Then ya’ll should definitely check out The Source.ca, where there are a TON of camera cases on sale – starting as low as $4.48!
My personal fave is the Gnarlyfish Soft Camera Case in blue/green, which is down to $4.48 (regular price $14.99) until March 31st. Want it right away? The Source offers FREE 1-hour store pickup on this item! Alternatively, you can check your store stock and see it in person before you purchase.
Now I’ll be honest, The Source isn’t my favourite place to shop. I find their policies rigid, their customer service shaky, and simply cannot be bothered to wait in line for 25 minutes while the one employee on duty is busy showing a couple the complete selection of TVs. But for $4.48, what the heck, I’ll take a look see.
I’m not on the up-and-up with camera prices, but figured I could post the sale and you can decide for yourself if it’s a good one.
It’s Dell Canada’s 48 hour Camera Sale, where until 6:00am EST on January 15th, you can save up to 40% on select cameras, camcorders and accessories.
Seems like Canon is representing big time, but there are a few Sony, FUJIFILM and Kodak offerings as well.
Highlights:
Canon PowerShot SD780 IS 12.1 MP – $199.00
Sony DSCH20 Cyber-shot with 10x Optical Zoom – $259.00
FUJIFILM FinePix F200EXR 12 MP 5X Zoom – $319.00
Looking for a basic all-in-one printer to get the job done? Look no further than The Source, where for the next few weeks, you can grab major savings on two brand name items – both are just $29.99!
HP DESKJET F4480 ALL-IN-ONE PRINTER
The HP Deskjet F4480 all-in-one printer is an all-in-one efficient device for your home or office. Print up to 28 pages per minute (ppm) or up to 22ppm in colour. Scan at up to 1200 x 2400 dpi.
Features: All-in-one printer, 28 black or 22 colour age per minute, 16MB internal memory, up to 4800 x 1200 print resolution, 1 year warranty.
Has 80-sheet input tray, borderless printing up to 8.5″ x 11″. Sale ends Jan 27, 2010. Save $70.
CANON PIXMA MP250 ALL-IN-ONE PRINTER
The hybrid printing engine delivers sharper black text and lab-quality prints–all from one machine. Offers incredible printing quality at up to 4800dpi resolution.
Features: Inkjet all-in-one printer, 7 black or 5 colour pages per minute, 4″ x 6″, “5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10,” Letter, Legal, U.S. #10 envelopes print modes, up to 4800 x 1200 print resolution, PictBridge-enabled.
Print beautiful photos with Ease-Auto Photo Fix II in Easy-Photo Fix EX software which optimizes settings for your images for lab-quality results. Has FINE technology which offers maximum 4800 x 1200 dpi with microscopic ink droplets as small as two picolitres. Sale ends January 13, 2010. Save $50.
Both deals are available in-store and online. Click here to begin shopping at The Source.
If you’ve got a Sony Style near you, it may be a good time to drop in for that techy on your shopping list. For a limited time (not sure how limited, so hurry!) when you purchase a $50 gift card, you’ll receive a bonus $50 gift certificate! There are a few rules associated with the promo, so pay attention:
Certificate entitles holder to deduct an amount equal to the face value hereof against one purchase of $100 or more (taxes not included). Discount applied to product price before taxes. Certificate may be used only at Sony Style retail locations in Canada. Certificate valid from December 26, 2009 to January 7, 2010. Cannot be combined with any other offer and not redeemable for cash. One certificate per transaction. Lost or stolen certificates are not replaceable. Copies will not be accepted. Not applicable on purchase of SonyCare extended warranty, Gift Cards or services offered by Sony Style. Subject to all applicable federal, provincial and local laws.
So essentially, you need to spend $100 or more to be able to redeem the certificate (not hard to do if you’ve got a new gadget in mind). I’m liking this deal – you essentially save an additional $50 during the time when most of their items will be on sale!
For the directionally challenged: Santa is here. Until November 30th.
It’s a GPS Demo Blowout at The Source – where you’ll find quality in-store demo product, with full manufacturer’s warranty, for savings of up to $500!
The fine print says that the packaging “may” be damaged, but I can’t remember the last time I cried over bent cardboard.
Some of the hottest deals include:
PANASONIC STRADA CN-GP50 PORTABLE NAVIGATION DEVICE
Original Price $499.99, Now $99.99
MIO DIGIWALKER C520 GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEM
Original Price $499.99, Now $99.99
MAGELLAN CROSSOVER GPS
Original Price $599.99, Now $99.99
NAVIGON 2000S AUTOMOTIVE GPS
Original Price $249.99, Now $99.99
Click here to see all the GPS Demo deals.
Shipping to a nearby location is FREE, and there are several products that offer 1-hour pickup. With prices like these, they’re sure to go fast!
They say:
“Thunk! That’s the sound your wallet will make with all the money you save.”
I say:
“Bring it! I never say no to saving money!”
Valid three (3) days only, October 27th thru 29th, get a jump start on your holiday shopping (especially if you’re making BIG purchases) with these coupon codes from Future Shop. The savings are pretty dismal for small purchases, but decent on larger ones.
For online shopping:
Coupon Code: coupon10366072566447
Discount: $10 off $100 to $349
Coupon Code: coupon20366240263188
Discount: $20 off $350 to $999
Coupon Code: coupon00366612922613
Discount: $100 off $1000+
In-store, simply print your coupons here.
I hate making big purchases so soon before Christmas, especially in anticipation of all the upcoming holiday sales. However, if you need something and can’t wait, be sure to take a few dollars off with these codes.
