Reviews Archives - Page 16 of 63 - Look What Mom Found

We Are Using Windows 8

January 30, 2013 by Melissa

About a week or so ago I got the Windows 8X by HTC and due to my neurotic behavior I decided that all of the computers in our house needed to be accessible and have the ability to work with my phone so I decided it was time to upgrade to Windows 8.

At first I was a little hesitant on upgrading but figured since I made the leap with the phone why not with a totally new operating system. Compared to Windows 7 Windows 8 is totally new but is awesome when you sit down and play around with it. Its been about a week and I am still learning new things every day and little tips and tricks that make using it a ton easier.

One of my favorite features of Windows 8 are the live tiles. I love the live tile feature on my pc as well as my phone. Tiles animate with the latest information. Status updates, weather forecasts, Tweets, and more. You will see live updates before you even open a single app.

screenshot of my start screen

Like I mentioned, in my opinion Windows 8 is really different then all of the other operating systems but in a good way. It feels more user friendly but you need to be open to change and open to learning new features.

One of the new features that I like a lot is the Search feature. It allows you to search your PC for different things like apps installed on your PC, settings and documents. You can also use the search function to find something specific in the app store like your favorite game (mine is Wordament) or app. I also really like how you can customize your start screen to look exactly how you want so that it fits your own personal style and needs.

Windows 8 overall is awesome but not to say it isn’t without its problems just like anything else but I think once you dive in and play around you will realize that Microsoft has worked very hard to allow the user to make Windows 8 all their own.

Full disclosure, Staples provided me with this copy of Windows 8. The words and opinions expressed in this article are strictly my own. To see the full line of computer software visit Staples.com.

The Perfect Valentine’s Day Treat

January 29, 2013 by Melissa

It’s hard to believe that the month of January is almost over but it’s even harder to believe that Valentine’s Day is right around the corner.

Melinda and I don’t really celebrate Valentine’s Day in the full sense of the word like flowers, candy and dinner but we do exchange cards and get each other a nice little gift. Recently I received a nice package full of awesome toffee, brownies/bars and cookies from Harvard Sweet Boutique located in Hudson, MA and I am planning to give Melinda something just like this for Valentine’s Day. What person wouldn’t like delicious brownies, cookies or toffee? You couldn’t think of anyone could you, either could I.

Harvard Sweet Boutique was founded in January, 2007, by Susan George. Her passion for fine baking and recognition of the need for unique gift alternatives helped to mold the idea for the company. Harvard Sweet Boutique has become the indulgence of choice for those who are looking to send the most memorable and sensational gifts.

Awesome box that the treats came in!

In my package that I received all of the items were really really good but my favorite item was the Chocolate-Glazed Macadamia Caramel Shortbread Bar. Shae and Shaun loved the assortment of cookies and Melinda and Sabreena loved the brownies. I liked how each item came individually wrapped for total freshness and come in a really nice gift box.

This is what I call awesomeness!

Pure deliciousness!

Now that I have tested a few of the items from Harvard Sweet Boutique I will be sending these to my grandparents for sure. They LOVE sweets and that is typically what Melinda and I send them for holidays as well as birthdays. My grandfather can be a real pain when it comes to his sweets but I know after tasting what Harvard Sweet Boutique sent me he won’t have a single complaint. My grandmother is also going to love the gift box.

I’m glad that Harvard Sweet Boutique reached out to me to do this delicious review because if not I might have missed out on their awesomeness forever.

Starbucks Coffee and Walmart Muffins #DeliciousPairings for Breakfast

January 17, 2013 by Melissa

School and work schedules often keep up apart for breakfast as an entire family. Come weekend time when errands need be done and we’re all going in different directions it doesn’t often get any better.

But Rob and I make it a point to stop for a few moments for a quick breakfast and talk about what to expect for the day. It isn’t fancy but it’s a time we set aside because it’s important to connect and get on the same page about the family happenings.

Coffee is our go-to. Anything else is just extra. But paired with a perfectly sweetened Banana Nut Muffin makes the experience so much better. The Starbucks House (Medium) Blend was rich with slight bitterness like I expected. Pairing it a Walmart Banana Nut Muffin brought out hints of nuts and fresh sweetness. I’m not a coffee and donut kinda person, I think the overt sweetness of a sugar glaze throws off the taste of coffee but this was a much better match, something I can get used to.

Shopping at Walmart is usually very easy. Seeing the #DeliciousPairings sign above the baked goods is a great way to learn what coffee blend goes with which bakery item. As you can see the display is directly above the danish and donuts. I went searching for muffins. I found a sugar free and regular version of their Banana Nut Muffins but that was the only flavor. I wanted to try the Blueberry Muffins also but there were none to be found.

I did find these Apple Pastry Bites but I’m the only apple filling fan in the house, that means I would’ve had to eat them all on my own. I skipped it.

The brewing process was wonderful. I could smell it as I stepped out of my bedroom. It’s a calming effect, knowing I’m just minutes away from a hot cup of coffee even though there are also kids and dogs waiting for breakfast so they can head off to school. I need to invest in a really good travel mug so I can take my coffee to go because stopping at random places never beats what is served at home since we already brew Starbucks Breakfast Blend and Thanksgiving Blend when it is in season.

Starbucks can be found at many retailers but visiting your local Walmart to shop will give you a little education about the best flavor matches for the coffee blends.

“I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #cbias #SocialFabric

Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4540 All-in-One Printer

December 30, 2012 by Melissa

With three kids in school they are always asking to print something so I was glad when we were asked to consider the Epson WorkForce WP-Pro 4540. You can imagine the wear and tear that three kids and two adults can put on a printer. Shae is always asking to print something from PBS Kids or some other website that she is on. Shaun and Sabreena are also printing something for school and Melinda and I seem to print something on a daily basis and our old printer just wasn’t cutting it.

The Epson WorkForce WP-Pro 4540 is a perfect match for our household because not only is this a printer but it’s also a two sided copier/scanner and fax machine. It’s awesome because it holds a ton of paper (580 sheets) but is also includes a multipurpose tray for different paper types which comes in very handy in this house. The WorkForce WP-Pro 4540 easily connects to WiFi with its built-in WiFi or you could use Ethernet networking if necessary. It offers high volume printing with extra large capacity ink cartridges (2,400 pages black and 1,200 pages color) and comes with a 30-page two-sided Auto Document Feeder to quickly copy, scan or fax one- or two-sided documents. There are so many features that there is no way I could touch on all of them in my article so for full specs, features and overall awesomeness of this printer be sure to click HERE.

We have been using this printer in our house for about two and a half weeks and so far I am in love with this printer. For years printers have been my kryptonite because I tend to stay on the cheap side and within six months to a year the printer dies and I need to start all over again and try to find a better one. After ten years I think we finally have a printer that is perfect for our household that will withstand the abuse that we are going to be throwing at it on a daily basis. I have always liked Epson products and printers and the Epson WorkForce WP-Pro 4540 has exceeded every expectation that I had for sure.

New Balance Sports and Fitness Gift Guide

December 19, 2012 by Melissa

Toys, gadgets and gift cards are typical additions to our holiday shopping list. I often forget about everyone’s hobbies. Rob and I took up running this year. While we haven’t been very dedicated the last couple of months I know it’s something we want to continue for fun and health. New Balance showered us with awesome running shoes and gear. I’m sharing with you all the great gifts we received and other great finds for those with health-centric hobbies and passions.

Women’s Minimus 1010
The New Balance Minimus 1010 trail runner introduces a new kind of minimal fit to the performance-driven runner, taking a remarkably lightweight, stylish upper and combining it with ROCK STOP® protection in the forefoot and a supremely durable Vibram® outsole. Knocked down to a 4mm drop, this up-and-coming minimalist superstar helps you go the distance again and again while simultaneously allowing you to concentrate on your form and the exhilarating feel of the trail beneath you.

Windblocker Jackets
The perfect gift for the winter runner, the New Balance NBx Windblocker Jacket is just the thing for the job: it’s windproof, water resistant, moisture-wicking, reflective, and ready to keep you dry and comfortable even in lower temperatures or adverse weather conditions. Loaded with convenience, storage and visibility features and the technology to make your workout better than ever, this music-friendly jacket uses stretch knit brushed back fleece combined with thermal wind block fabric retain and reinforce your body heat.

Ndurance 100 Chronograph
Chronograph/data 24 hour range, Exercise timer, Time/alarms, Water resistant, EL backlight

Men’s Minimus 20V3
The Minimus 20v3 offers a barefoot workout experience with the protection of a lightweight trainer. It’s stable, low-profile platform aid in efficiency in the gym and is versatile enough for a run. Inspired by Good Form Running and designed to be worn with or without socks.

Media Holder
Reflectivity for added safety and visibility,Interior key pocket for storage, 2 D-rings work to provide a perfect fit, Compatible with iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4, One-handed adjustment, Operate your iPhone while in the armband

Handheld Water Bottle
Eeflectivity for added safety and visibility,Front zip pockets for secure storage, Clipless cap, 22 oz (650 mL). Weight: 4 oz, Adjustable moisture-wicking airmesh hand strap

Fathead – John Cena WWE

December 18, 2012 by Melissa

Are you or someone you know a huge sports fan? How about a Disney fan or maybe a fan of the Olympics or WWE. If so and aren’t sure what to get them this holiday season Fathead Wall Graphics could be your answer.

Fathead is located in, designed in and manufactured in the USA which is totally awesome. Fathead has been around since the fall of 2005 and headquartered in downtown Detroit

You may be thinking Fathead isn’t for you because you don’t want to ruin your wall but Fathead’s are printed on durable vinyl and are fade-resistant. They are safe for walls and because of the special low tack adhesive it will not leave a film on the wall or pull off the paint when removed. Fatheads are moveable and reusable so if you need to move your Fathead for any reason you can do so fairly easy. Just be sure to keep the liner the Fathead came on and the tube in came in.

Shaun this year really became fascinated with the WWE to the point where he watches Raw every Monday night and plays WWE 13 on the Xbox 360 every chance he gets. Knowing how much Shaun loves the WWE Melinda and I thought a John Cena Fathead would be a perfect gift for him this Christmas. The one we selected is huge with the following dimensions: 2’2” wide x 6’7” high. Putting this WWE Fathead Wall Graphic up is going to take both Melinda and I for sure. Installing a Fathead is a two person job and trust me on this because Shaun already has one and there is no way I could have installed it without Melinda’s help.

Fathead offers many different sizes so if life size isn’t for you maybe a Fathead Junior which is about 3 foot tall would work. They also have Teammates, Tradeables, Big Heads, Street Grips as well as laptop skins. They offer so many different sizes and options in what you can select you are bound to find something that you like for sure. I saw 4-5 different Fatheads that I would like for myself but my problem is wall space, LOL.

Christmas is right around the corner so click HERE for the 2012 Holiday Shipping Schedule.

I know Shaun is going to be super excited when he opens his Fathead on Christmas morning and I will be sure to do a follow up post once Melinda and I get it up on the wall.

About Fathead LLC

Fathead LLC is the industry leader of graphics products for large & small spaces – led by authentic, officially licensed sports & entertainment graphics. Fathead gives fans the opportunity to feel passion For Real by bringing their favorite inspiration to life. Fathead wall graphics include the signature line, REAL.BIG. – life-size, high definition wall graphics of athletes, stadiums, logos and fan favorite entertainment characters. The art and décor line features murals of classic & modern artists while custom Fatheads, available in vinyl or gallery wrapped canvas, put the customer in charge. For the space constrained, Fathead’s product line also includes Big Heads, Street Grips, Fathead Juniors, Teammates and Tradeables. Fathead Business Solutions provides unique signage and décor alternatives for companies and universities. With in-house design capabilities, Fathead customizes and installs interior and exterior graphics with expertise across a variety of materials – from removable vinyl to aluminum and acrylic. Based in Detroit, Michigan, Fathead manufactures all products in the USA and Canada for purchase worldwide. Fathead carries thousands of images and maintains over 500 license agreements with leading consumer brands across many industries and professional sports leagues. For more information, visit www.Fathead.com. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. Fathead. FOR REAL.™

Rather Be Shopping Online and iPhone App

December 17, 2012 by Melissa

Coupons go way beyond groceries and household goods. Did you know there are tons of store coupons floating around the internet right now for things like sneakers, electronics and wine.

Rather Be Shopping is online coupon site that is dedicated to bringing their readers the latest in deals, discount and savings for everything in your life.

I’m not a supermarket couponer. I’ve tried. It doesn’t’ work for me and the way my family shops BUT I will look for deals when heading out for entertainment, clothing shopping and department stores. I know there are amazing deals for shopping online too. Free Shipping codes are my favorite and I will shop more if there is a promise of savings at the end.

Rather Be Shopping can also set you up with Coupon Alerts for your favorite shops. I’m a Kohl’s shopper, I’m there multiple times a week and know that their coupons and sales will give me a great deal on things I already plan on buying. Setting up coupon alerts puts these deals at your fingertips. If you’re like me and read all email on your phone your coupons are with you everywhere you go. In fact the Rather Be Shopping coupon app might better than the alert option because you have access to the entire coupon database with just a couple clicks.

Some research on Rather Be Shopping pulled up a few deals I’m going to take advantage of this week. Remember the post about Sabreena’s headphone abuse? Well this Christmas we are stuffing her stocking with earphones that will hopefully last till next year.

Unfortunately Rather Be Shopping is only available as an iOS app. Hopefully an Android version is in the works so i don’t have to rely on Rob’s phone for savings. Don’t let this stop you though. Use the Rather Be Shopping online site to gather your deals and coupons and get shopping.

Interesting fast. Rather Be Shopping is a mom and dad run site, similar to ours.

Kipling Luggage for a Mom on the Move

December 12, 2012 by Melissa

Last week many of you might be aware that I went on a trip to Disney by myself.

It was a press/media trip, a short one so I knew it would be best to pack light and efficiently. Most of our bags are quite large, meant for families so I was happier than a bird with a french fry when I got a Kiping Yubin 55 to review.

First. Kipling has an incredible repuation for having high quality luggage, totes, backpacks and more. Classic pieces with twist is how I describe them. 35 million people can’t be wrong.

My Yubin 55 is considered Carry-On Acceptable with a size of 13.75 X 21.5 X 9.5. When it first arrived I was nervous that it was NOT going to be big enough for 3 full days away. I pulled out another bag just to be on the safe side. I also worried that the lightweight nylon wasn’t going to hold up to wear and tear through the airports and even storage.

never mind the shoe, it’s just to show you the size

It was time to get ready and I overpacked a little like usual, depending on staples like jeans that could be worn again and lightweight tops. Can you imagine my surprise when I fit EVERYTHING in it the first time. This included my toiletry bag. I took an inventory of what was in the bag:

3 pairs of shoes
2 pairs of pants
2 capris
2 tee shirts
3 tops
variety of undergarments
pair of pajamas
2 hairbrushes
large flat iron with carry case
empty purse
FULL large toiletry bag

There was quite a fiasco when it came to my bag at the resort, Disney lost it. In fact it was missing for about 26 hours. What I loved doing though everything someone new asked for a description was to say it was bright red and had a monkey hanging from it. Eventually the bag was found, in good condition as a totally different park.

I was a good airline customer and gate checked my bag due to full plane and crowded overhead storage. When I went to grab it from baggage claim I realized that red was NOT the way to go. Red and Blank are the main colors for luggage today, I should’ve went with blue. I also wish I had the Yubin 55 Spinner. Pulling my bag behind me put a toll on my shoulder as I was also carrying an oversized business bag with all of my tech, magazines and camera. A bag that could’ve been rolled along side of me would’ve been the best way to go. Also shoving my toiletry bag in the outside pocket wasn’t smart. It made the bag heavy where it would occasionally fall over . This wasn’t fun in security lines.

The dangling monkey is Kipling’s mascot, a shout out to Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. He made my luggage instantly noticeable since I hadn’t had the chance to personalize it with fabric or luggage tags.

I’m definitely going to keep my eye out for more Kipling accessories and luggage as I would love to add to the collection. A large suitcase or tote would be great to add, they would give versatility and variety especially when traveling with the rest of the family.

Visit Kipling and see for yourself why they are leaders in the luggage and travel accessories industry.

@MegaBloks Barbie Build ‘n Style Luxury Mansion available soon

December 7, 2012 by Melissa

Barbie is an icon and little girls love to play with dollhouses so what can be so wrong with putting them together?

NOTHING, thats why the Mega Bloks® Barbie Build® ‘n Style Luxury Mansion is an awesome gift this season.

Mega Bloks is already a trusted brand for developing imaginations and motor skills for kids of all ages. Using their little hands and growing minds whatever they imagine can come true. This season Mega Bloks has introduced an entire line paying homage to the classic Barbie and her friends like the included Teresa.

The Mega Bloks Barbie Build ‘n Style Luxury Mansion is bright and cheerful and full of everything needed to start playing right away. With 8 build-able rooms your child can decorate them however they see fit. Playrooms, theaters, indoor gardens and luxurious bathrooms are just some of the many ideas that can come to life. Ideal for children aged 4 and up. Young girls will be empowered to build ‘n style their very own Mega Bloks Barbie world, with over 300 specially-designed pieces and tons of detailed accessories. Collect up to 19 mini-fashion dolls — including Barbie, Teresa, Nikki and of course Ken — with changeable hair, accessories and clothing styles! There’s lots of great places to shop, like the Fashion Boutique and the Pet Shop. Hang out at home in the personalized Luxury Mansion, relax at the pool or hop in your convertible and head to the beach house!

The Mega Bloks Barbie Build ‘n Style Luxury Mansion along with the rest of the Mega Bloks Barbie will be hitting store shelves on December 12 in North America.

Pre-order the Mega Bloks Barbie collection from preferred retailers today so you don’t miss out on the fun.

Tea Collection Clothes from Around the World

November 28, 2012 by Melissa

Shae is getting older and much more independent. She likes to pick out what she wears, her shoes and even her accessories. In order for this to go smoothly and ensure she doesn’t walk out of the house looking like a clown (every time) I like to make sure she has great choices.

This is why I love Tea Collection clothing. The styles are appropriate for children but constructed like top designer clothing. The inspiration of their designs comes from around the world. This season Shae is sporting the colors and patterns of Denmark, Sweden and Finland with bold rich colors, delicate florals and eye catching graphics.

We already had a Plum/Wine color pair of pants from last year that match wonderfully with the Forget Me Not Layer Dress. Pairing it with these boot cut pants gives the dress a tunic look instead and goes great with sneakers or casual shoes.

She loves dresses but the winter months can make it hard to keep warm and look cute. Coordinating leggings with dresses is a great way to keep the kids warm without ruining the look of an outfit. Shae added tall boots and high socks on this rainy day.

Tea Collection may be higher priced than department store clothing but I find that they last longer, can be handed down to siblings or friends and even saved as keepsakes because the quality is far superior than discount clothing.

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