Monthly Archives: June 2009

Dyson DC25 featured as a robot in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Cleaning & Cleaners, Gadgets, New posts, News, , , ,

Dyson DC25 featured in Transformers: Revenge of the FallenAs you may know I am a total gadget geek.  I love gadgets and vacuums are no exception.  Over the last couple of years I have been given the opportunity to review a few Dyson vacuums including a canister vacuum and a hand held and have been extremely happy with both.  The hand held gets used several times a day (no kidding) to pick up snack crumbs, scraps of paper from Madelyn’s cutting projects, and naturally.. cereal that falls on the floor when my 9 year old pours it himself.  I know, pouring cereal is a tough job.  Our Dyson Canister is used about 2 times a week and what’s really cool is that it’s my husband or Sebastian that uses it!
I received a Dyson DC28 this week and will review it very soon.

What’s up with the vacuum in the photograph you ask? Well, it’s just about the coolest thing ever, duh!

You’ve probably heard that Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen broke box office records on its opening day but quite frankly what’s more intriguing to me than the movie  though, (I’m not a big movie fan) is that a Dyson DC25 vacuum transforms into a Decepticon robot in the movie!  My husband can’t wait to see Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and will the first chance he gets.  And because he and my son think our Dyson Canister is a weapon which is why they actually use it, I know he’ll love seeing the DC25 transform into a Decepticon robot.

The Dyson DC25 is an upright vacuum cleaner that features Dyson’s famous ball technology which makes the vacuum exceptionally easy to maneuver and vacuums the dirt (and kiddie crumbs) out of the carpet like you wouldn’t believe.

Learn more about the movie Transformers 2 here.

Learn more about the Dyson DC25 here and enter to win a Dyson DC25 here on From Dates to Diapers!

I will be reviewing the DC28 Animal (the newest Dyson Vacuum (upright) and a well-worth-it $599) within a few days so keep visiting and sign up for our email updates to get the review right in your inbox!

KidZui Video Contest! Win $500, a lifetime KidZui membership, and more!

Computers & Software, New posts, News, , , ,

KidZui - The Internet for KidsKidZui, soon to be reviewed on TheMommyInsider.com, is simply the best and safest way for kids ages 3-12 to experience the internet.  What Google is for search, What YouTube is for content and what Facebook is for community, KidZui is for kids in one safe online destination. KidZui is available for download on PC’s and Mac’s.  Best of all, the KidZui Internet Browser for kids is FREE to download with the option for paid subscriptions to receive expanded content.
The Mommy Insider will be giving away a few free KidZui 1-year memberships soon!  Subscribe to TheMommyInsider.com email updates to be notified when our contest begins!

About the KidZui video contest:

KidZui has launched an online video contest that brings parents and kids closer together  by providing the challenge for them to win $500 and a lifetime KidZui membership as well as a membership for every computer in their school and community center.

All entries must be submitted by midnight, July 31st, 2009.

Through the contest, your family can create and submit a 30-45 second video showcasing why you feel KidZui is so amazing. By submitting the video you’ll be immediately entered to win $500 and a lifetime KidZui membership for your family and every computer in your kids’ school and community.

Tips/Guidelines:
1. Get your kid(s) involved! It’s always fun to get your kids to be creative.
2. Keep the video simple, fun, kid-appropriate, exciting, easy, cool, smart.

Contest Details & Rules*:
1. Video entries must be submitted via YouTube
2. Please keep your video under 45 seconds.
3. Any kids included in video must have consent of parent/guardian.
4. All submissions become property of KidZui
5. Three winners will be selected.
6. All winners will be featured in the upcoming ZuiNews, KidZui Blog, KidZui Facebook, Twitter, KidZui.com and the KidZui Browser.
7. Entries must be submitted by midnight July 31st, 2009.

How To Submit Your Entry (video):
1. Go to YouTube and upload your video
2. Email contact@kidzui.com with the following important information:

Your name
Parents email address
Embedded link (From your YouTube page)
URL (From your YouTube page)
The title of your video

Good luck and we look forward to your videos!

*No purchase necessary to enter to win. Many will enter, but only a few will win. Entrants must be a parent or legal guardian of a child 3 to 12 years of age at the time of entry, and a resident of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia aged 18 or older. Submit your video to contact@kidzui.com between 8 o’clock in the morning May 27th, 2009 and 11 o’clock at night July 31st, 2009 (the “Contest Period”) to enter a random drawing from all eligible entries received during the Contest Period. Sponsor will award one KidZui 1-year membership (approximate retail value $49.95). Prizes will be rewarded in the name of a parent or legal guardian only. By submitting, you hereby grants to KidZui a non-exclusive, royalty-free and worldwide license to use your name, voice, picture, likeness and any other combination of any of these on the KidZui Sites or on advertising and promotional materials in connection with the KidZui services.

*NOTE/ Permission: By sending us the video you are giving KidZui permission to the following: Any video material you send becomes the property of KidZui. Therefore you grant us permission to use your video on KidZui websites and KidZui browser. So, please no copyright material. Kid safe and kid friendly videos only!

Sponsor: KidZui, 2448 Historic Decatur Road, Suite 105 San Diego, CA 92106. © KidZui 2009

Design your own SIGG Water Bottle + A Giveaway!

Food and Drink, Gifts, Green, New posts, Personalized, , , , ,

Sigg customized water bottleI was so excited when I was given the opportunity to design my own branded SIGG Water Bottle because both of my kids have had a SIGG water bottle for 2+ years and I haven’t! It’s my turn now and mine is bigger than theirs! Childish.. I know.  Sebastian has a ninja inspired SIGG water bottle while Madelyn has a glow in the dark space SIGG water bottle.

Now, through Cafe Press, you can design and order your very own personalized SIGG water bottle. Type whatever you want such as “World’s Greatest Mom”, “Best Dad Ever”, or your brand name which is what I did and you will instantly see what it will look like on the SIGG design of your choice.  I chose the Leaves design (left) and had “The Mommy Insider” printed on my 1 liter SIGG water bottle.  You can choose from 7 special edition designs.  Stop wasting plastic water bottles and design your own SIGG water bottle that you will have for many many years.  These SIGG water bottles can be washed in the dishwasher.  Attach a caribeener to the SIGG top and then attach your SIGG to your backpack or diaper bag and you’ve got easy access to it all of the time!

The custom-designed bottles are available for $27.99 on CafePress’ SIGG section here..

Learn about SIGG on their website here.
GIVEAWAY!
We have (1) 1 liter SIGG water bottle to give to a lucky reader. The 1 liter bottle is exactly like what you see pictured here with “The Mommy Insider” printed on it.  Leave a comment below related to SIGG, water bottles, and/or being ‘green’ and you are entered to win.  Contest ends July 15th, 2009.

We will be giving away the same SIGG water bottle on TheFind.com and MomLogic.com!  Subscribe to our email updates (green bar at top of the page) to find out when the other contests begin.

Design your SIGG bottle at CafePress!

Too Cute Bento Lunch Boxes

Age 3-5, Guest post: TheFind.com, New posts, Preschool, , , ,

bentoboxes

This fall my daughter begins preschool and I’m in search of a bento box for her lunches. I’m half Japanese and I’ve grown up with bento boxes my entire life. I’m looking forward to preparing meals that will make her smile and hopefully consume. Luckily it will only be twice a week! There are a plethora of bento blogs devoted to bento box preparation and many options to buy bento lunch boxes online. I’m looking for a bento that is colorful, cute and can be easily opened with a toddler’s small hands. The larger orange and pink Vivo is adorable, but with the metal handle is better suited towards older kids.

In addition to the actual bento lunch boxes there are recipe books and a dizzying array of accessories for the preparation of bento. I’ve been already using some of them to make mealtimes more fun for my finicky eater. Luckily she loves rice, organic nori and edamame which I’ll be adding to the bento and are quick and easy to prepare.

Bento products featured above:

Vivo Kids Bento Box, Orange and Pink, $22 at Amazon.com
Yokom Kids Bear Bento Box, $17.99 at Sugarcharms.com
Hawaii’s Bento Box Cookbook: Fun Lunches for Kids, $14.95 at nativebookshawaii.com
Niko Niko Punch 3 – Face Bento Decoration, $19.50 at jbox.com

From our friends at TheFind.com

Philips Norelco All-in-One Groomer

Dad, New posts, , , , ,

Norelco Grooming KitIf you have ever looked for a grooming device for your husband, and who hasn’t at one time or another, you can stop looking and get the best one I have found, period.

The Philips Norelco Suite has it all. A sleek power body, five cutting heads, and three hair length guides, all in a nicely designed, cleverly small display stand. The stand has a power connector that keeps the power body charged at all times, however, Norelco advises you to not charge the unit until it is almost out of juice. This is a little problem because you naturally want to put the power body in the stand. I’m not sure I get it. I suppose you could unplug the power from the outlet so no charge is getting to the power body.

The cutting edges are not the typical blades but instead a very tiny row of teeth that do the job. There is a standard 1 inch wide blade for trimming mustaches. There is a ¾ inch wide head for side burns and narrow areas, a 3/8 wide cutting head for very detailed cutting and engraving the hair into masterpieces. Certainly included is the obligatory ear and nose trimmer that nobody likes to admit to needing but are happy to have.

If you are into cutting your own hair or that of your kids there are three hair length guides that make quick work of the most demanding “customer”. The power body is equipped with slots for the hair length guides and a ratcheting device that lock it into the position you want so the result will be a consistent length and look. This is one of the greatest beard groomers I have seen and I suggest you look into the Philips Norleclo Grooming Group for a great gift idea.

Learn more about the Norelco All in 1 Grooming Kit at the Philips/Norelco website here.