All posts by Alicia

iRobot Roomba 880 Vacuum Cleaning Robot Review

September 26, 2014Cleaning & Cleaners, Technologyhouse cleaning, iRobot Roomba 880, robot vacuumAlicia

If anyone needs help with household cleaning, it’s a busy parent! I know because we have two kids, a puppy and a guinea pig and there are lots of families with more than two kids and more than two pets which I can’t imagine! You can imagine the mess any member of my family or pet can make in just 30 seconds! Do I need a strong suction vacuum? You bet I do. Even better, a vacuum robot to clean is what I need. There’s actually a robot that is a strong suction vacuum! That is about the most exciting thing EVER for a busy parent like me.

I started using the iRobot Roomba 880 vacuum cleaning robot about a month ago when I was sent a unit to review and life hasn’t been the same since. I’m not exaggerating. For those of you who read my blog on a regular basis, you know I only review and feature products and services that I actually use and would recommend. I don’t waste my time writing about and taking photographs and videos of products just to make a few dollars. That’s now how I work. That said, I’m writing this post to tell you about the Roomba 880 today, because I LOVE it and I think every family should have one.

There are a lot of ways the iRobot Roomba 880 has made my life easier but the #1 reason is time. I haven’t taken either of our upright vacuums out of the closet, except to use the stair tool, since having the Roomba 880 vacuum cleaning robot. It’s that good. And like you saw above, we have a puppy. Every day I’m amazed at how much pet hair and food crumbs ‘Scooper’ sucks into its dust bin.

iRobot AeroForce 880 Cleaning System

The amazing iRobot Roomba 880 boasts of an Aeroforce Performance Cleaning System that delivers a great balance of spectacular vacuum suction and extraction of debris. It’s the best robotic vacuum for homes with pets and anyone who suffers from allergies. Why? Simply because it traps all that nasty dirt and allergens into a bin that has a HEPA-filter and is sealed.

Here’s how the Aeroforce Cleaning System works:

It uses Aeroforce Extractors that are tangle-free. These dual extractors really grab dirt, crumbs, pet hair and debris from floors of hardwood and carpet as it breaks down the dirt and debris. This is done without any tangles of the pet hair.
It has an Airflow Accelerator that concentrates the airflow by creating a sealed channel to draw in more debris.
It’s a high efficiency vacuum because it has an improvement of five times more air power than previous generators of Roomba.

Cleaning Effortlessly

A family with two children and two pets surely creates lots of dirt every day. The dirt just got easier to clean it up with our new iRobot Roomba 880. Here are some reasons why:

It vacuums from room to room – The Virtual Wall Lighthouse keeps the Roomba in one room until the entire room has been vacuumed and then it sends the Roomba to vacuum another room. Off-limit areas can also be blocked by the Virtual Wall Barriers.
It has a Home Base – The Roomba goes back to its Home Base in order to dock and recharge. This automatic docking is done when the battery power gets low or the dust bin is full.
It cleans on schedule – The iRobot Roomba 880 can be programmed to clean up to seven times a week. For instance, you can set it to clean at 8:45 a.m. after the children have left for school every day.

iRobot XLife Battery
Twice as many cleaning cycles can be powered by the new iRobot xLife Battery than the previous Roomba models’ batteries. Therefore, the time is now doubled before replacement of the battery is necessary.

Compatible With Select Accessories Of Previous Roomba Models
Previous Roomba models’ remote controls, Virtual Wall Barriers and the Virtual Lighthouses are compatible with the iRobot Roomba 880.

Technology of iAdapt

The iRobot Roomba 880 iAdapt’s advanced, software and sensor system beats the competition’s cleaning hands down due to its responsive navigation technology.

This iAdapt technology does all of the following:

Sensors – Both acoustic and optical sensors provide concentrated cleaning by seeking out dirt and debris.
Vacuums like a person – Its continuous back and forth cleaning senses excessive dirt and applies more power to those areas.
Cleans wall edges – Its technology leads Roomba along wall edges.
Anti-Tangle technology – Anti-tangle technology prevents its getting stuck on fringes or tangled on cords.
Cliff-detection sensors – The Roomba has cliff-detection sensors to direct it away from stairs and, therefore, prevent it from falling down the stairs.
Soft padded cushions — Furniture and walls are protected from damage by its padded bumper cushions.
Light touch bumper technology – This technology detects soft barriers and allows it to clean under couch skirts, bed skirts and curtains.

Watch as a I briefly demonstrate the Roomba 880 and show the three things that make it spectacular, in the video below

Some of my favorite features of the Roomba 880

The Roomba is portable and easily taken up and down stairs.
The dust bin is easy to empty.
It runs relatively quietly.
It is easy for kids to operate.
It is rated highly on Amazon.com

Cost and accessories available for the Roomba 880

The iRobot Roomba 880 costs $699.99 and includes: 1 xLife Battery, 2 Virtual Wall Lighthouses with batteries, 1 Remote Control with a battery, 1 extra HEPA filter, 1 Home Base, a 1 year limited warranty from manufacturer and a 6 year battery warranty.

Additional accessories as listed above can be purchased as accessories as well as replacement parts such as pack side brushes, and a tangle-free extractor set. Other accessories available for purchase are a Virtual Halo, Wireless Command Center, and a Compact Virtual Wall.

Would you spend $700 on a robotic vacuum cleaner? There’s no doubt that the Roomba 880 has made my life easier. Speaking as a busy mom and someone who has a hard time lifting heavy things and pushing and pulling a heavy vacuum.. and has a puppy who sheds, I think the Roomba 880 is well worth the cost!

Lexus ES 350 Review – Welcome to the Future…And How Luxurious It Is!

September 22, 2014Car ReviewsCar Review, Lexus ES 350, Sedan, TravelAlicia

MSRP: Starting at $37,550
MPG: 21 City / 31 Hwy
ENGINE: 60°V6 TYPE / 3.5 L DISPLACEMENT / 268 hp @ 6,200

Remember the nineties, when super-plucked eyebrows were all the rage and a certain luxury car burst onto the scene? The Lexus offered one of the first two-toned paint jobs I noticed at the time. Back then, most of us could only dream of the day when we could drive a Lexus. Alas, the future has arrived. Our eyebrows are all grown out and require more maintenance than ever, and now Lexus is raising them with its 2015 ES 350 model and ES 300 hybrid.

As always, Lexus does not fail to disappoint with the amount of options available for this vehicle. This is a car company that is not afraid to outfit an automobile with the small touches that make each model enticing. In the case of the ES 350, there’s the ultra luxury package, the premium package, and the plain old luxury package. The “basic” luxury package (if you can call it that) boasts many dazzling features, including front seats that are heatedand ventilated. A quick step up to the premium package ensures that the driver receives all of the above benefits, with a telescopic steering wheel and authentic wood accents to boot. A leap to the ultra luxury package is a delight, with attractive add-ons like a panoramic glass roof and ambient interior lighting.Although the car’s exterior may not be considered particularly remarkable by those who would normally dish out $35k+ for a small sedan—the lines are fairly consistent with those of past model years, and nothing necessarily jumps out as spectacular—it compensates for this with extraordinary safety features.

The advanced airbag system, which comes standard on the ES 350 and ES 300 hybrid models, includes ten airbags. The driver and front passenger seats even boast knee airbags. The traction control system (TRAC) is another standard feature for both models. This technologically advanced system senses which wheel has better grip, and automatically sends power to it when there has been a loss of traction control for whatever reason. In addition to this feature, there is even a vehicle stability control system, which can sense issues with cornering and guide the car to self-correct with the selective application of brakes and modulation of the engine. Other standard safety features include an advanced braking system, a tire monitoring system, a rigid body structure, and more.

Lexus really pulled out all the stops with the ES 350’s safety systems! Literally. Smart stop technology comes standard, and some of the optional safety features include: a blind spot monitor, park assist, a backup camera, and HID headlamps.

For those who want to do the school run in style, the ES 350 and ES 300 hybrid are exceptionally well-suited to carting around the kids. The specially treated glass ensures that the little ones don’t get harmed by the sun’s harsh rays, and front and rear dual cupholders can be very helpful after soccer practice. The power trunk, which is capable of opening and closing, is optional but definitely worth its weight in gold after a trip to the grocery store. One touch of the fob and…voila! The trunk will do as you wish. We truly are living in the future.

Speaking of groceries, the cargo space is more than adequate for a family of four. There is a “roomy” feeling in this model, and even the center console can be used to store a few handy-dandy items, such as tissues or snacks.

After the kids have been dropped off at school, though, a parent’s got to have fun, too. The entry to I-75 is the halfway point between my son’s high school and our house so I’m often tempted to veer onto the entry ramp and drive north toward the North Georgia Mountains. It’s cars like the gorgeous, smooth, quiet, and speedy Lexus ES 350 that make that veer feel almost uncontrolled, as if an entity has taken over me and made me forget about the work that waits me in the office. This is where the ES 350’s 3.5-liter V6 engine comes in, whisking you down the highway with the added bonus of slick suspension and aerodynamics that are built for speed. This is a family car that performs. Also, with an mpg of 31 on the highway and 21 in the city, it won’t be necessary to stop for fuel constantly.

Incredibly, the ES 300 hybrid model also sports an impressive, powerful engine. In just 8.1 seconds, the ES hybrid goes from 0 to 60. With four driving modes and an EPA combined estimate of 40 mpg, this hybrid is the complete package.

Although pricing has not been released yet, the ES 350 is expected to start at around $37,000, while the ES hybrid should hover at around $40,000 for a base model. These certainly aren’t the least expensive cars in the world, but they are attractively priced for the luxury sector. The enhanced safety features alone provide an excellent value for savvy consumers, not to mention the fact that you’ll be a proud, luxurious Lexus owner. Aren’t you glad you live in the future?

Visit your local Lexus dealership to test drive a Lexus ES 350 and learn more about the ES 350 sedan on Lexus here.

Data Sharing For Families: Sprint’s Family Share Pack Explained

September 18, 2014Brand Ambassador, Gadgets, Technology#SprintMom, smartphone, SprintAlicia

More #SprintMom posts:

As busy parents often realize the hard way, their teenage children are often never found without a phone in their hand. Since cell phones are becoming more and more popular as the days go by, teens are using more and more data each and every month. Data is used in many functions on a cell phone such as text messages that include pictures, streaming video, downloading music, and generally browsing the web. Sometimes it can be hard to find a cell phone provider that has enough data allowance per month to support these features. A great way to incorporate lines for each member of the family and get enough data to go around is the Sprint Family Share Pack.

The Sprint Family Share Pack is customizable to each family not only with how many lines are on the plan, but also how much data is on the plan. To compare, a family pack with 4 lines and 4 GB of data the cost would be $100 a month with Sprint. The number of lines of the plan can vary from 2 to 10 lines and amounts of data available are 1 GB, 1.5 GB, 2 GB, 2.5 GB, 3 GB, 4 GB, 5 GB, and 6 GB.

Teens are known for wanting the latest and greatest technology. On the Sprint network, the latest and best smartphones available include the Samsung Galaxy S5, iPhone 6, HTC One M8, and the Moto X. So no matter what type of smart phone is desired, whether it be for streaming video, text messaging, downloading music, generally browsing the web, the best phone for the task is available.

Another great feature of switching to the Family Share Pack is that Sprint will buy out your current contract up to $350 for your family to switch. Many cell phone carriers enforce a 2 year contract with the purchase of each phone, and to leave that contract will result in financial penalties. Sprint is willing to cover those costs up to $350 for your family to be able to make the switch.

Sprint makes it easy for busy parents to shop for a new Family Share Pack by making an appointment to come into the store, or by shopping for the pack online. Either way, Sprint makes it easy to compare your current plan to the Family Share Pack and make the switch. So whether you or your teen is wanting a new iPhone 6, a Samsung Galaxy S5, an HTC One M8 or a Moto X, it is now attainable through the Sprint Family Share Pack.

More #SprintMom posts:

Some great reasons to switch to Sprint include:

Sprint will buy out your current contract up to $350
The latest and best smartphones are available on the network
Busy parents can make an appointment to come into the store or shop online

Visit Sprint.com to learn more about their family share data plans and the smartphones and other devices they offer!

“Oprah’s The Life You Want Weekend” Honors Local Atlanta Women With The Toyota “Standing O-Vation” Award

September 9, 2014CelebritiesOprah, Oprah Tour, Oprah's Life You Want WeekendAlicia

I attended the opening weekend of Oprah’s The Life Your Want Weekend in Atlanta last weekend and feel like the stars must have aligned in order to get me there. Due to scheduling conflicts and a recent medical procedure I never would have imagined that I would get to see Oprah last weekend, or any weekend for that matter, but the stars aligned, Toyota – a presenting sponsor of the event, invited me as their guest and wahlah, I was there! Oprah and a team of hand-picked Trailblazers completed the first stop of an eight-city U.S. tour of “Oprah’s The Life You Want Weekend,” rocked Atlanta’s Philips Arena where thousands danced, applauded and sought inspiration for transforming their lives.

Atlanta was the opening city and featured Oprah, Deepak Chopra, Elizabeth Gilbert, inspirational speaker Iyanla Vanzant and pastor Rob Bell.

Even before Oprah took the stage Saturday morning, the vibe in the arena was uplifting and energetic. DJ Kiss, When Oprah entered the stage Saturday morning, the Winfrey spoke about identifying one’s life purpose and led exercises on taking actions to reach those goals. At times there were funny reflections on life while other soul-searching moments led to crying as people considered areas in their lives they wished to change.

I was invited to attend Oprah’s The Life You Want Weekend by Toyota, a presenting sponsor of the event. I knew Toyota was going to do something big at the event but didn’t know what. What they did was larger than life and changed the lives of the many women who are part of an amazing network of women who run called Black Girls RUN!, here in Atlanta.

Oprah's The Life You Want Weekend - Toyota Black Girls RUN!

The first recipients of The Toyota “Standing O-Vation” award were announced on Saturday, September 6th in Atlanta, the first of eight awards to be presented at tour stops this fall. The Toyota “Standing O-Vation” recognizes extraordinary people who are making positive changes in their communities and inspiring others to do the same. Oprah Winfrey and Team Toyota brand ambassador Amy Purdy honored Ashley Hicks and Toni Carey, the founders of Black Girls RUN!, an Atlanta-based national running group created to combat obesity among women in the African-American community. As the first “Standing O-Vation” recipients, Black Girls RUN! will receive a $25,000 grant from Toyota in support of its continuing efforts to get women running.

Click here to watch Ashley Hicks and Toni Carey’s story.

Watch a video highlighting some of my favorite moments at Oprah’s The Life You Want in Atlanta

Black Girls RUN! was formed by Carey and Hicks to increase the number of African-American women who run, improving their fitness, quality of life, and ultimately decreasing the number of African-American women who are overweight. What began with a blog and two women in Atlanta has grown into a network of more than seventy groups and hundreds of thousands of members across the nation. For more information, visit www.blackgirlsrun.com.

Throughout Oprah’s The Life You Want Weekend, Oprah and Paralympic bronze medalist snowboarder Amy Purdy, an amazingly inspirational woman I had the opporutnity to have lunch with Friday but sadly couldn’t work it out and would love to meet one day, will present the Toyota Standing O-Vation, a recognition of extraordinary people in communities around the country.

The driving force behind The Toyota “Standing O-Vation” stems from the automaker’s commitment to fostering women’s interests. While reflecting the kind of stories that define the brand, The Toyota “Standing O-Vation” is an opportunity to celebrate remarkable women who are not only making the world a better place, but also motivating others to spark their own journey of personal change.

When my tears started

I couldn’t hold my tears back during the first learning exercise given to us by Oprah. We had to list the wishes we have for a loved one. I chose my son. When I was his age, I hit a deep depression and I am always concerned that he is going to follow my footsteps. My son is a much stronger person than I was at his age though and will hopefully always be mentally stronger than me but I have such dreams for him it makes my heart ache sometimes. I cried as I wrote my dreams for him which include good health, my hopes that he will take advantage of every opportunity that comes his way, establish and maintain a good relationship with his 7-year younger sister, and most important – love himself for who HE is and not who he thinks people think he should be. I also wrote that I dream he becomes an adult who is not greedy, lazy, or materialistic. While some admittedly wrote wealth and nice cars, those things didn’t cross my mind when writing what I wish and hope for for my son. As long as he is healthy and loves himself I believe he will live a fulfilling live whether he has money and a nice car, or not. Here’s the kicker.. at the end of the exercise Oprah told us what we just wrote is what we need and should wish and dream for OURSELVES, but we typically wish for more for our loved ones. It turns out, everything I had just written was about me too, not just my son.

At the end of two days in Atlanta, Oprah teared up as she thanked the audience for trusting that “this was worthy of you spending your hard-earned money to be here” and by telling the audience at the end: “Together we rise.”

About “Oprah’s The Life You Want” Weekend:

“Oprah’s The Life You Want” Weekend is an eight-city arena tour and transformational weekend featuring Oprah Winfrey and a team of special guests, sponsored by Toyota and Olay. Each tour stop spans two days. On Friday nights, Oprah takes the stage, bringing her personal story and insights to life in a one of a kind intimate evening. Then on Saturdays, Oprah leads a day-long gathering of thousands with handpicked thought leaders and pop culture icons including Iyanla Vanzant, star of OWN’s hit series “Iyanla Fix My Life,” regular O Magazine contributor, best-selling author and spiritual life coach; best-selling author of Eat Pray Love, Elizabeth Gilbert; and one of Time 100’s Most Influential people, Pastor Rob Bell. Additionally, world-renowned author and pioneer in mind-body medicine Deepak Chopra will take the stage in select cities. “Oprah’s The Life You Want Weekend” is produced by Harpo Studios, O, The Oprah Magazine, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and WME Live, and is presented by Toyota and Olay. For more information on the tour, please visit www.oprahweekend.com and follow on Twitter/Instagram @LifeYouWantTour #LifeYouWantTour.

This tour is one not to miss. See when Oprah’s The Life You Want Weekend is coming to a city near you and buy your tickets today!

Sept. 12-13 2014
Auburn Hills, Michigan
The Palace of Auburn Hills

Sept. 19-20 2014
Washington D.C.
Verizon Center

Sept. 26-27 2014
Newark, New Jersey
Prudential Center

Oct. 17-18 2014
Houston, Texas
Toyota Center

Oct. 24-25 2014
Miami, Florida
American Airlines Arena

Nov. 7-8 2014
Seattle, Washington
KeyArena at Seattle Center

Nov. 14-15 2014
San Jose, California
SAP Center at San Jose

Tickets for the weekend event start at a well worth it $99. For more information on the tour, please visit www.oprah.com/tour.

The Giving Keys: Wearable. Sharable. Perfect Imperfection.

September 4, 2014Fashion & Stylecharity, Fashion, JewelryAlicia

Most hotels I visit use card keys to access guest rooms. I’m happy to hear that there are still hotels that use real keys and Caitlin Crosby, after falling in love with her motel room key, decided to put the key on a chain. Once she was home in Los Angeles, she asked a locksmith to engrave the word LOVE on it. On her next tour, Caitlin sold old keys with words like HOPE, FAITH, and STRENGTH engraved on them. The project continued to grow, but wasn’t complete until Caitlin met Cera and Rob, a homeless couple she met on Hollywood Boulevard.

Eager to turn her hobby of making key necklaces into a charitable endeavor, Caitlin partnered with the homeless couple she met on Hollywood Boulevard to engrave inspirational words on keys and sell the jewelry pieces called The Giving Keys. Since, she has created jobs for the homeless and supported shelters and transitional homes. Now, the homeless couple that Caitlin originally partnered with is living in a transitional home, working, and taking college classes. What progression! Caitlin now employs fifteen people who are transitioning from homelessness to living in a homeless shelter. It’s so wonderful to see people who might otherwise feel hopeless and sometimes useless, be part of something so beautiful. Her necklaces are sold online, at Fred Segal and 40 stores around the country. Her employees have made around $40,000 from sales of about 8,000 keys.

You can get involved by purchasing a customized necklace online or at selected retail stores. Once you make a key with the word you want, it is Caitlin’s wish that you will give it away to someone who needs it. Engraved HOPE? Give it to someone who needs hope. It’s a new take on paying it forward and it’s impossibly easy and a gift that won’t be forgotten by any involved. You can find stories of why people gave away their necklaces here.

www.thegivingkeys.com

@thegivingkeys

The Mommy Insider is not affiliated with Caitlin Crosby or The Giving Keys – we just like sharing great news!