Category Archives: Electronics

Projection Clock With Weather Forecaster: $59.99

January 22, 2008Bedtime, Electronics, Fun stuff for parentsAlicia

Oregon Scientific has some great clocks that I want to share with you.

This clock sets itself to the U.S. Atomic Clock, using radio waves for
split-second accurate time. The projection light can be rotated by to
90 degrees to offer a unique way to read time in the middle of the
night by casting the time in glowing red numbers on the ceiling or
virtually any flat surface.

When I wake in the morning I look up to the ceiling and not only do I see the time but I see the outdoor temperature as well. With the temperature varying so much here in Atlanta, it is nice to know what the temperature is outside before getting Sebastian ready for school and without having to go downstairs and outside. One more than one occasion, when Sebastian arrived home from school, he let me know that he didn’t need to wear his three layer jacket I demanded he wear because I thought it was cold outside. In addition to displaying the outdoor temperature, this clock displays a forecast image so you have an idea what the weather will be like that day. How neat!

Everyone here who tested the Oregon Scientific clocks for review really enjoyed the projection and weather features.

The only aspect of this clock that I am not thrilled with is the fact that it can’t be illuminated 24/7 but only with the press of a button. This makes it difficult to view the time during the day.

Other features include an 8 minute snooze and crescendo alarm and an on screen calendar.

We have several Oregon Scientific clocks to giveaway. They are NOT the same as this clock but they are all projection clocks. We will start the giveaway soon so visit daily and join our mailing list using the sign up form at the top of the site to be notified when we start the giveaway.

Click here to browse Oregon Scientific’s selection of projection, weather, and regular clocks.

Panasonic AeroSpin MC-UL675 – product review

January 15, 2008Cleaning & Cleaners, ElectronicsAlicia

Panasonicaerospin It’s a wonderful thing when you know that all the crumbs and dirt have been sucked out of your carpet and rugs. I feel confident that our carpets are absolutely dirt free after using the Panasonic AeroSpin upright vacuum. While vacuuming, the dirt sensor shows me if I need to spend a little more time on a particular spot. One thing I love about the Panasonic AeroSpin is the 15 foot stretch hose on which I can attach the included extension wand, crevice tool, dusting brush, or air turbine brush quickly. With the stretch hose, I can reach the ceiling fans, get under beds, and in other high and skinny spaces that I normally couldn’t reach.
Some features are great suction, a low performance indicator, dirt sensor, an anti-static dirt cup which is great for pet hair, and automatic carpet height adjustment. The AeroSpin has so many great features I can’t mention them all here.
You can win a Panasonic AeroSpin!
Simply click here to email me and enter "I want to win a Panasonic AeroSpin" in the subject line and I will draw a winner at random January 31st. Be sure to send the email from the email address you check most often as the winner will be contacted by email.

Learn more about and watch a demo video of the Panasonic AeroSpin here.

HP Photosmart A626 Compact Photo Printer & Photo Books

January 11, 2008Electronics, Fun stuff for parents, GadgetsAlicia

Compact photo printers are a wonderful thing. I don’t go on vacation without mine and now I have this great HP Photosmart compact printer that I want to tell you about. Unlike any photo printer I have used, the A626 gives me the ability to add frames, clip art, captions and more. This means no more trips to the scrapbook store for die cuts, embellisments, etc.! It’s all on printed directly on photograph. Then I simply add the photograph to Madelyn’s scrapbook and I’m done! Times sure have changed.

With the A626, I can print pictures directly from my camera, memory card or computer. I took the photo printer to my mother’s house once and she asked me how I know what a photograph looks like before printing it if I am using the memory card. The 4.8" color screen of course! I can scroll through and view any image directly on the screen. Then, using the stylus, I can crop photographs, edit the brightness, work with the color, add captions, and more. Sebastian (8 years old) had fun drawing mustaches on everyone’s faces. Then I choose how many copies of a photograph I want to print and use my stylus to click the printer icon and wahlah, I’ve got pictures!

The A626 has a carry handle, and the extendable parts fold in too make it easy to take with you anywhere. The A626 works off one ink cartridge and can accommodate most if not all size memory cards. You can print 4×6 and 5×7 photographs in as little as 39 seconds.

Want an easy way to share and give your photographs with family and friends? HP Photo Books available in 5×7 and 8.5×11 sizes come with everything you need to create a one of a kind gift.

The HP Photo Book includes all the things you need: a professional looking hardcover photo book, easy to use
layout and design software, and HP Advanced Photo Paper (12 sheets). Simply add your photos and creative touch,
and you’re ready to go. The included software gives you a variety of designs and styles for personalizing and creating unique photo pages.

After I installed the included software on my computer, I chose the design, size, layout and photographs I wanted and printed my pages. Then I slipped the photographs into the pop-open spine of my Photo Book and was done. The entire process took about one hour but will vary depending on how much time you spend creating your pages.

We’ve got three Photo Books to give away to lucky readers!
Simply click here to email me, enter "I want to win a Photo Book!" in the subject line and I will randomly choose three winners by Jan.14, 08. I will email the winners using the email address provided so please use the email address you check most often when sending the email.

Learn more about the HP A626 Compact Photo Printer at the HP.com website or click on the large picture below.
Learn more about HP Photo Books here.

SmartShopper: Easy grocery shopping at last!

January 10, 2008Electronics, Feeding - baby & kids, Food and Drink, Fun stuff for parents, Gadgets, OrganizationsmartshopperAlicia

The SmartShopper has changed my life. Really. Before I had the SmartShopper, I dreaded going to the grocery store because I knew that I would be going up and down and all around each aisle more than once to find everything I needed even with a list. If you saw one of my ‘to do’ or grocery lists you would probably think I have some kind of organizational (lack thereof) disorder. The first ten or so items are listed nicely, but then I start going diagonally, upside down, and items end up all over the page going all different directions and when I’m done about two hours later (cooking dinner, folding laundry, helping with homework) it is complete chaos.

That is where SmartShopper comes in handy. With SmartShopper, I can have a complete grocery and/or errand list done within 10 minutes and it will even show quantities for each item and whether or not I have a coupon for a specific item. Now that the grocery list is organized into categories/aisles, my husband can do the grocery shopping for me! He can’t complain that he has to run all over the store ten times to find everything on the list anymore and I can get some work done while he is shopping. I am so relieved.

SmartShopper works by voice recognition. You simply push the ‘Record’ button and say the name of the item to be added to the list. I have found that 80% of the time, SmartShopper gets the item right the first time. If SmartShopper doesn’t recognize the item you are saying, it will allow you to add a new item yourself. This has come in very handy for things like ‘green popsicles’.. I don’t like purple popsicles in my house and I have to remind Tim that we want only green popsicles. For each item you add, you can enter the quantity you need. Quantities are available in several formats including boxes, bags, and lbs. Adding coupons is easy too. Simply click on the item you want to indicate that you have a coupon for and click on ‘add/delete coupon’. When your list is printed you will see a coupon icon next to items you indicated you have a coupon for.

SmartShopper recognizes 2,500 items so chances are you will have a perfect grocery list the first time you use it. The SmartShopper unit is a compact 7 1/2" x 4" and is only 1 1/4" thick and can be mounted on your kitchen wall, kept on the counter or adhered to your refrigerator with its strong magnet. I keep ours on the refrigerator so I can quickly add items that I find we are running low on and the items I have already added are listed in alphabetical order so I can easily see if I’ve already added an item by scrolling up or down.

SmartShopper is perfect for families with a nanny who does their grocery shopping, grandparents, and DADS!!

SmartShopper can be purchased at Amazon.com and you can visit SmartShopperUSA.com to learn more.

Dyson Stowaway

December 26, 2007Cleaning & Cleaners, Electronics, GadgetsAlicia

If you ever said you don’t want small appliances or something ‘practical’ for your birthday, you will take it back after you learn about the Dyson Stowaway. This is one gift I would gladly accept.

The Dyson Stowaway has all the features of an upright but lacks the inconvenient height, and sports features most uprights don’t. Weighing in at a hefty 23lbs. this isn’t a vacuum to be made light of. The Stowaway’s sturdy, well sized body features everything you need to clean both your carpet and hardwood floors. The first time we tested the vacuum was one day after our carpets were vacuumed. I wish I would have taken a photograph of the amount of dirt the Stowaway picked up from the recently vacuumed carpet! I was amazed.. and a little grossed out that all of that dirt was in our carpet.

The Stowaway can replace your upright. With it, you can reach under your furniture, clean your bare floors, stairs, and dust.

I am impressed with the small amount of storage space the Stowaway takes up as well as the ease of use. I feel confident that you will love it too.