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Gelaskins, art for your phone, iPod, e-reader and more

July 31, 2010 by

Take a look around; everyone’s phone and iPod look the same. There may be some colors but nothing really unique going on. Enter Gelaskins, a totally unique alternative to silicone and rubber skins.

GelaSkins are removable covers for protecting and customizing your portable devices. They feature stunning, photo-quality graphics ranging from fine art prints to contemporary urban images designed by our growing family of artists from around the globe. Stand out in the crowd with personalized protection from GelaSkins.

That’s the official description but I call it portable art. Find a ridiculous amount of gorgeous and vibrant designs to show off your personality and mood to fit over almost any electronic device. The designs range from off the wall Dali-esque to slick cool cat Jazz motifs to progressive art.

Here is what I got for my laptop. Some of you have already seen my laptop, it’s a cool green but Wall of Birds really brings it to a whole new level.  I love love love how colorful it is and it matches the green perfectly.

My Blackberry is pink but you would never know because I always had it covered in a silicone glove. The Gelaskin gives it protection from scratches and beauty for all to see. I smile whenever I look at it.

Rob got this cool boombox design for his Kobo (kobo giveaway coming soon). I couldn’t get a picture of it because he always has it with him.

The price is right too. Depending on your device the skins run the same amount as the less pretty ones from the big box stores.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




ThermaCELL Patio Lantern

July 29, 2010 by
I like summer and spending time outside on the deck but I am not too fond of mosquitoes which always want to bite when Melinda and I are outside. Thank goodness I do not get bit that often but Melinda and Sabreena do constantly making sitting outside unpleasant.
When I was asked if I wanted to analyse the new ThermaCELL Patio Lantern I jumped at the opportunity. With our new place and new patio furniture the ThermaCELL Patio Lanterns provided the relief we were looking for from annoying mosquitoes allowing us to enjoy sitting outside. What I like about the ThermaCELL Patio Lanterns is they provide a decent amount of light with a low and high switch but the draw back it each lantern runs on 4 AA batteries (which are included). I also like how they are functional but add a decorative touch to the deck. We have used the lanterns on two different occasions with great success. They were easy to put together and turning them on is easy. You can run the repellant part of the lantern without having to turn on the light and vise versa.

HOW IT WORKS

ThermaCELL uses revolutionary, patented technology to dispense a small amount of repellent into the air over a long period of time. ThermaCELL is powered by a butane cartridge which provides the cordless, portable heat necessary to operate the device (batteries are not needed). It directs the heat to a metal grill. A mat saturated with Allethrin, a copy of a naturally occurring insecticide found in chrysanthemum flowers, is placed on top of the metal grill. The heat generated by the butane cartridge vaporizes the repellent allowing it to rise into the air, creating a 15 x 15 ft (225 sq ft) “Mosquito-Free-Zone” in minutes. The repellent is very unpleasant to mosquitoes, but when used as directed, will not harm humans or pets.

Product Features
• Repels up to 98% of mosquitoes. Also repels black flies and no-see-ums.
• Provides a 15 x 15 ft Mosquito Free Zone, the size of an average deck or patio.
• Dual use product: repellent and light can be used together or separately.
• DEET Free!
• Silent, portable, and odor free.
• Easy to use: no open flame; no messy wax.
• Effective alternative to smelly lotions and sprays which must be applied to the skin.
• ThermaCELL technology has been tested and approved by the U.S. Army. Currently used in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan.
• EPA approved.
• Perfect for backyards, decks, picnics, barbeques, camping, and outdoor parties.

All in all I feel the ThermaCELL Patio Lantern is well worth the money and I would recommend them to friends and family. I have seen these lanterns in Home Depot as well as here with all of the accessories needed after you use the original provided ones so these are not one and done lanterns. So if you hang outside on the deck a lot like we do you should give the ThermaCELL Patio Lantern a try.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Living Bug Free with Cutter and Hot Shot Naturals

July 26, 2010 by

No matter how clean your home is bug can get it. Ants are my nemesis; every spring they pay me a visit and every spring I try all the products and methods under the sun to get rid of them.

This year I’m using Hot Shot Natural Pesticide, a greener, safer way to rid the home of pests. Made from Lemongrass Oil, Hot Shot Natural Home Insect Control is an effective defense against ants, roaches and spiders. We haven’t had a problem with ants in the home but spiders are invading the garage. I’ve been spraying around the garage perimeter, deck and doors coming into the house. No more fear of poisoning the family for the sake of bug-free living. But does this product really work?

The “does it work” question holds especially true for something you want to work fast and right the first time – like bug killer. And believe it or not, something as pleasant sounding as Lemongrass Oil extracts were found to be the simplest and most effective natural insecticide. Those extracts are the basis for Hot Shot Natural – a line of natural insecticides, from Ant & Roach killer to Wasp & Hornet killer. Best of all, you’re not paying a premium price for this natural product – it’s comparable to synthetic insecticides.

For outside my home I need to be a little more aggressive. The people who lived here previously weren’t quite the green thumbs so needless to say the flower and garden beds and lawn were a bit overgrown and infested with flies, aphids, spiders and more. I turned to Cutter Backyard Bug Control to invade the creepy crawlies. Application was easy, just attach to the garden hose, spray the area you want to treat and you’re protected up to 8 weeks. I focused on the side yard, front yard(patch of grass) and some of the lawn. I didn’t want to treat too close to the veggies because this product isn’t from their Natural line.

We still have plenty of summer left, that means plenty of time for bug bites and infestations. Treat now and be worry free for the rest of your bbqs.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Panasonic Jetspin Cyclone Vacuum Compares WELL to Competition

July 21, 2010 by

Cleaning is my least favorite thing to do. That’s why I like my cleaning products and instruments to work well. I thought I was beyond happy with my last vacuum but I was recently introduced to the Panansonic Jetspin Cyclone Vacuum and I’m loving it so far.

While it has the cyclone technology it doesn’t have the pivot, turn on a dime feature. I do miss that but check out this list of other features:

  • Dirt sensor eliminates guesswork – display turns from red to green when floor is clean
  • Unlike competitor models, the dirt cup can be disassembled and washed, eliminating pet odors
  • Four onboard tools including Air Turbine Brush to remove pet hair from upholstery
  • 12-foot wand and hose for curtains and other hard-to-reach areas
  • HEPA filtration to remove allergens, pollutants and irritants
  • Belt Saver stops the motor when a cord/shoelace/carpet fringe becomes wrapped around the agitator
  • Available at an SRP of $249

A vacuum that tells you when the carpet is clean, what gets better than that? What I really liked about the Panasonic Jetspin Cyclone is it feels sturdier, more durable than its cyclone competition. It is heavier than our most recent vacuum but the onboard tools are handy when you decide to reach for those corner cobwebs or want to dust off the drapes. I also like the idea of bagless vacuuming but worry about particles getting back in the air when emptying out the canister.

In this house we have a mix of carpet, hardwood and ceramic tile. The Panasonic Jetspin has an EZ Bare Floor Switch that gives you a quick transition from carpet to floors without the need for changing or adding attachments.

It all comes down to cleaning. How well does the Panasonic Jetspin Cyclone Vacuum measure up to other vacuums out there? I would say excellent! It have great suction power a hefty “this is gonna last a long time” feel and everything I need to get the job done throughout the entire house.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Mighty Fine Tees for kids and adults

July 17, 2010 by

Even as an adult Rob likes fun tees. And as an adult Rob collected comic books of all kinds. His faves were Marvel and Scooby Doo. The iconic Marvel images have been captured on Mighty Fine tees for grown-ups and kids. Here is Rob and Shaun in their very own Mighty Fine tees!

Mighty Fine tees and knit tops embody a carefree, casual California lifestyle by using American images, vintage styles and irreverent graphics. These tees along with other designs such as Hello Kitty, Sesame Street and more are available at fine boutiques, specialty stores, department stores and online.

Both Rob’s and Shaun’s tees are a soft velvety cotton with a screen printed image.  Rob’s especially has a retro feel probably coming from the pale gray color. I recieved another tee, too small for Shaun so it was gifted to my BFF’s  almost 5 year old Super Hero fanatic!  He loves it.  I think the sizes run a tad small so I would upsize at least for boys.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.
 




PackRat Makes Moving Easier

July 16, 2010 by

I know you’re all tired of hearing about the move; I just have one last post. This one is to tell you about the actual process of packing, organizing and moving. With a month left to move and house to paint and rugs to clean we knew we needed help. We shopped around for a storage pod; we needed immediate availability, large size and competitive pricing and 1 800-Pack-Rat fit all those requirements.

We needed to get furniture out of the house in order to complete the task of painting and cleaning. 1-800-Pack-Rat came through the day after calling with a 16ft portable storage unit placed in our driveway. The timing was perfect; no one else was able to come through so quickly. If you’ve never seen the un-load of one of these it’s pretty cool, not once does it tilt or tip or even shake; a good indication that your belongings are secure. The process took about 15 minutes. We were ready to start loading it up with boxes. Seasonal clothes, toys, seldom used appliances and dishes and some furniture were the 1st to go. This freed up tons of space in the house to do what we needed to do.


Over the month we continued to pack and rearrange and organize the things in the pod. On move day they showed up and hauled it away, a couple hours later it was in the driveway of the new house. It took just a couple days to unload and it was gone again in just a few minutes. The highlight of working with 1-800-Pack-Rat was dealing with the delivery/pick-up drivers. They were super nice, friendly, answered questions and didn’t get mad when Shaun got in the way.

Arranging the actual move was a little different than I had expected. The company assures pick-up and delivery at OUR convenience but it wasn’t entirely that smooth. I wanted the unit moved 5 days prior to our move date then placed in on-site storage for a short time then delivered when we moved in. We were told that wasn’t going to happen, it was going to be picked up on move day. For some this wouldn’t be a problem but we needed to fit a moving truck in front of our house too. This was impossible. We were left playing musical cars with the neighbors, begging for extra space, blocking people in and saving space that was meant for overflow.
We did receive the MOVE of the unit for free but paid for the storage/delivery for the prior month so I’m guessing that is why we didn’t receive the same service a “paying” customer would have gotten. I understand the costs involved with the move and storage but we were reviewing the service also, not just the use of the unit. I’m hoping we were just the exception when it came to the moving aspect of the process.

Would I use 1-800-Pack-Rat again? Yes! Would I recommend 1-800-Pack-Rat to friends and family? Yes!
Visit 1-800-Pack-Rat for a quote for an upcoming remodeling project or move or visit their Facebook page for tips on organization, packing and storage

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Personalized Gifts for Dads, Grads and Brides

June 2, 2010 by

Dads, Grads and Brides need gifts that have meaning but also purpose. Personalized Gifts is a one-stop shop for men and women of all ages for all occasions. Father’s Day is coming up and Rob was in dire need of a new leather money clip.

The Black Leather Credit Card Wallet with Money Clip from APerfectWallet.com is a full but lightweight wallet with money clip built in. The money slides easily in and out of the exterior clip without disturbing the credit cards that are nestled safe inside the exterior pockets. This has been a perfect alternative to his original standard money clip; no more pulling everything out just to pay a bill or shop. Rob stopped using a wallet a couple years ago when it just became a catchall for every receipt, store card and business card he picked up. The money clip helped him cut down on the bulk. APerfectWallet.com has supplied Rob with this wallet/money clip combo; a smarter version of the money clip what he had been carrying.

Personalized Gifts isn’t just for money clips and wallets. Wedding season is among us so it’s the perfect place to check out favors, place card holders and groomsmen gifts. Don’t forget the grads with a unique pen or cufflink gift to start their new life on the right foot.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




MYOilCloth Recap and 20% discount

May 29, 2010 by

Now that Shae is out of diapers I’ve been on the search for a great handbag that not only serves my needs but the occasional needs of a sippy cup and snack. MYOilCloth is the answer; a collection of distinctive, well-made, well-organized and fun handbags and totes.

Michele Sommer and Yvette Yelardy, creators of MY, are two designers with OCD (oilcloth desire) who absolutely needed to make a tote out of oilcloth. They searched the world to find a fabric that didn’t feel like your grandmother’s plastic tablecloth and when they didn’t find it, they created it. The MY collection pairs beautiful fabric design with functional shapes to fit your lifestyle. Their philosophy is that fashion should be fun, functional, and fabulously well-made.

Whatever you need or lifestyle you’re going to find a bag perfect just for you. The weekender says it all, the tall tote is just right for groceries and double zip fits a laptop perfectly. Traditional oilcloth was meant for sailors and fisherman and not really the prettiest design. Lately oilcloth has been used for eco-friendly home. MYOilCloth has but a spin on the dull and boring; a fashionable yet functional collection of handbags and accessories for ALL women.

My convertible bag is an over the body deep pocket bag with an awesome inside water bottle holder and inner pockets. The pattern is bright and friendly and perfect for the season. It also comes with the cutest business card holder. The best part is the material is durable and cleanable while still being fun.
See my personal video:

****FYI the bag doesn’t include the business card holder, it was a special treat from the MY ladies
Shop for yourself or for another lucky lady using this exclusive coupon code “Look” for 20% off your entire purchase. Hurry this offer expires June 4th, 2010. Visit MY on Facebook for select offers, giveaways and announcements.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Are Those Little Feet Ready for Summer?

May 24, 2010 by

If not check out Stride Rite’s Summer Sandal collection for boys and girls.

Stride rite’s spring/summer collection provides an assortment of silhouettes that are of both good quality and fashionable. These must have styles feature an assortment of woven and strappy sandals with natural foot beds, mixed material uppers in thong and slide patterns. Studs and beading details give subtle shine and texture, while neutral metallic in shades of silver and gold become the everyday basic. An assortment of florals from small to bold are all over prints and sandals are embellished with oversized 3D flower treatments. Vulcanized looks range from washed to distressed canvas to being popped with 80’s brights. Nautical chic are natural motifs combined with a little glitz for a more preppy look and ruffles and bows are key embellishments on sandals and flats. Sparkle and glitz with gems, sequins or sparkle textiles in brights in sandals to sneakers.

There is still time left to outfit your kid’s little feet for water, sand, street and bed. Shop online for your favorite Stride Rite brands and styles. Right now get FREE SHIPPING on the purchase of 2 or more pairs of shoes.  See website for details.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




May is National Barbecue Month With Weber

May 22, 2010 by

Spring is upon us so you know what that means: Grilling outdoors. I love this time of year so that we can get outside and have barbeques with our friends and family. I love inviting people over to the house for a relaxing time with great food on the grill.

Not sure if everyone knows but May is National Barbecue Month. Considering I use my grill all of the time even in the winter I love that they have a month dedicated to the good ol’ BBQ.

“Grilling is an American pastime and National Barbecue Month is the perfect time for Americans to map out their summer grilling game plan by determining what equipment is needed, the best recipes to try, and what special grilling occasions with family and friends to mark on the calendar,” says Leslie Wheeler, communications director at the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. “With all the great equipment available to consumers right now, it’s no surprise that grilling has become such a popular way to prepare quick and delicious meals.”

Weber has a new cookbook call Weber’s Way to Grill by Jamie Purviance which I was lucky enough to receive for review.  I have been grilling for a long time but this cookbook has alot of really cool ideas a techniques that I am using and trying to make myself a better griller.  Here is a little background information about the author:

Jamie Purviance graduated from Stanford University and the Culinary Institute of America before launching his career as a food writer for major magazines and newspapers such as Bon Appétit, Better Homes & Gardens, Cooking Light, Fine Cooking, Town & Country, and the Los Angeles Times. He is the author of several best-selling cookbooks, including Weber’s Real Grilling™ and Weber’s Charcoal Grilling™. Purviance is certified by the Kansas City Barbecue Society and serves as a judge for the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, in addition to other major competitions. He has also appeared on several national television shows including Today, The Early Show, Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, and the Oprah Winfrey Show—as well as PBS, CNN, the History Channel, and the Food Network.

Weber’s Way to Grill is a booking filled with learning techniques. The cookbook have over 160 original recipes with over 1,000 step by step photos so this book is great for a new comer to grilling or a person who had been grilling forever but looking to take their grilling technique to the next level.  This book has everything like when is the proper time to season a steak, why you cook lamb at a higher temperature then you would pork chops.  Weber’s Way to Grill has alot to offer anyone who loves grilling.  Below are some additional details about the book:

Everything a griller wants to know in the most complete grilling technique book ever:

Five keys to grilling great steak
The right way with baby back ribs
What to do when flare-ups happen
The way to smoke a turkey
Five secrets for perfect fish every time
Simple ways to check for doneness
Getting great results with your smoker
The way to handle foods that stick
Working burger magic every time
Over 1,000 step-by-step photos
More than 160 delicious new recipes
Dozens of rubs, sauces, marinades, and more

Weber was also kind enough to send me the Genesis E-320 Gas Grill. This is by far the BEST grill I have ever owned.  The Genesis E-320 has 3 Stainless steel burners and Porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates.  The Genesis also 42,000 BTU-per-hour input and a 12,000 BTU-per-hour input flush-mounted side burner.  In my opinion this grill has it all with its looks and pure cooking power.  To me Weber is associated with quality and after using the Genesis for the last month I will never own any other grill but a Weber.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




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