Rhino Shield Impact Resistant Screen Protector

It's that time again - time to renew our cell phone contracts and upgrade our phones. We had debated waiting a bit, but decided to take advantage of current offers and upgrade from the iPhone 4s to the 5s. That meant it was time for a new round of phone cases and screen protectors too.

We've always had screen protectors and I certainly didn't want to pass on one for our latest investment especially with one young child in the house and another on the way. Kids can be crazy rough on electronics even if they don't mean to be. And, then, of course are the times like when my last phone fell out of my pocket and hit the ground. Not a good thing, but always a bigger sigh of relief when you know you have protected your screen.

I was grateful for the opportunity to try an impact resistant screen protector from Rhino Shield and received the small yellow envelope pictured above. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but inside is the protector along with everything you need for quick & easy installation.

And the Rhino Shield was so easy to install! I've installed (and sometimes paid & watched installation of) screen protectors in the past and this was by far the easiest. No sprays or wetting. Just clean the phone screen, peel the backing from the protector, stick and smooth out. No waiting. You can immediately use your phone and, in my case, I immediately put the case back on.

I've been using the Rhino Shield for about a month now. It has firmly stayed in place. There are no scratches that I can see. It has gotten a bit smudged up on occasion. I've had a similar issue with past screen protectors and fully blame my make-up (but I'd rather battle the smudges that go without that!). The Rhino Shield also feels more like the original iPhone screen to me than other protectors I've used. A nice smooth finish.

Overall, I'm very pleased with Rhino Shield and would recommend to any smart phone or tablet users who want a little extra protection for their device. To get your own, visit their website or check local stores such a Best Buy, Target, Etc. Rhino Shield retails for $24.99.

Note: I was provided with one Rhino Shield Impact Resistant Screen Protector free for review. No other payment or compensation was received. The opinions expressed are are strictly my own.

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Snackeez review

Do your kids beg you for products they see in commercials? We've started to reach that point which is why I was happy to get the opportunity to review Snackeez for free.

Snackeez (if you've missed those commercials with the catchy jingle) is an all-in-one snack/drink cup. It holds a 16oz drink along with 4oz of a snack in a separate compartment that attaches to the top and features a lid. Sip your drink through the straw. Flip the lid to enjoy your snack. Easy for kids of all ages to use.

After removing our Snackeez from the packaging and washing the pieces (very easy - overall cup, snack cup plus straw and all are dishwasher top rack safe), Dylan was anxious to fill it and give it a try. His choice? Blackberries and water.

As a parent, I do like the all-in-one design. Often he's trying to juggle a cup plus a snack and will drop or spill something. With Snackeez, he simply has to hold the one container and can enjoy both easily. I also appreciate how easy it is to clean.

If you are interested in purchasing Snackeez for your family, visit their website or check your local stores. We've spotted them in Target and Walgreens. Snackeez retails for $9.99 and comes in 4 color combinations.

Note: I was provided with a free Snackeez cup for review. The opinions expressed are are strictly my own.

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An Open Letter ...

to the window treatment salesman,

I wanted to be so excited about the options you offered that I would struggle to hold off on an order. Instead, you destroyed the sale. Now, admittedly, I've never been in sales and I'm sure it is challenging, but here is where you made missteps that killed the deal and, I think, are things you should know:

Taking Measurements
One of the windows I want to add blinds to is at the second story level of our two-story foyer which, truthfully, makes it a challenge to measure. We walked up to the second floor and got as close to the window as possible. I leaned over the rail to attempt to measure it. You told me it wouldn't work. It took me two tries and I had the tape measure cleanly grabbing the top of the frame and pulled the measurement. Okay so this is part of my job when I'm in the construction field, but it's also part of yours. You doubted me, and you couldn't do this. Even on the windows at floor level you struggled to read the tape measure. You also kept asking me what the measurements were again. This is part of your job. You should be able to do this.

Knowing the Deals
What led us to scheduling the appointment was a Living Social deal. I presented the printout to you at the start of the meeting. This led to a multi-part issue. First, you had never even heard Living Social. Groupon you had so I made that comparison. You still struggled to understand what the specifics of the deal were and proceeded to show me and price a line that didn't meet the requirements. What infuriated me the most here was when you insulted me by saying sarcastically, "you buy these for golf. Things like that." Um, you didn't even know what it was before our appointment.

Think Before You Speak
Perhaps it was careless moment when you made the "golf" comment and later when you referred to the existing 2" faux wood blinds in one part of my house as "cheap." They came with the home and, honestly, I think look fine. I don't have an issue with them. I did have an issue with your comment - it was an insult to my taste and my home.

Listening
During the course of our discussion, you mentioned the options include a "free liner" or I could add an upgraded liner. I said no upgrade would be necessary. The windows were discussing faced northwest and, thus, don't get direct light. You completely ignored this statement and repeatedly commented about the "free liner" I would get. Frankly, this got more than a little frustrating. Better than pushing an upgrade, but it was simple evidence that you weren't listening to me and my needs.

Preparation
I made the appointment with your company in person while at a home show a few days before. I completed a form with questions about what types of products I was interested in. You arrived with 3 sample books in hand and only one matched any of my requests. Luckily you at least had other books in your car, but it took 3 trips to bring in what I needed to both meet my product requests and, finally, try to meet the requirements of the Living Social deal. This meant that the appointment took far longer than necessary.

So, yes, these items along with the price (sorry, my new kitchen counters are taking priority in the budget) are why you won't be getting my order. Best of luck in your future sales. I hope you'll consider my two cents.

sincerely,
Sarah

Have you dealt with a terrible or pushy salesman? How did you handle it? 

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Instajunction Photo Gifts

Take a lot of Instagram photos? I do. Print a lot of your Instagram photos? Neither do I. Which is sad because I share a LOT and (may I toot my own horn here?) I think a lot are pretty awesome so I really should. Thus, I was excited when given the opportunity to try Instajunction - a new company in the UK dedicated to turning your Instagram photos into beautiful gifts.

A few of the products offered from Instajunction

Honestly, the hardest two decisions are choosing a product and which Instagram photos to use. The product options range from magnets to framed prints, from wall calendars to coasters, and more. Once you make your selection, link your Instagram account and begin picking which images you want to use.

One tip when selecting, if you think you might want a photo, click it. If you change your mind later, you can delete it easier than going back to get it. The right arrow will take you further back in your Instagram feed, but clicking the left will reset you to the most recent.

Also, photos will fall into place as you select them. You cannot change their order and they don't necessary match the shown order when printed. Ie, for the minibook, the photos were not in the order shown on the screenshot above. This was okay for me as I was creating the minibook for Dylan. He won't mind the order but will enjoy flipping through the pages looking at the photos. Thankfully, the paper is a nice thick card stock with a simple plastic cover so it should hold up pretty well with a 4 year old.

Small Instajunction Minibook

I may have to make one for myself next. It is a cute way to show off your photos and also comes in a larger approximately 4x4 size.

I also selected some Polaroid Style Card prints for the scrapbook I'm working on of our trip to England. They are printed on the same thick card stock as the minibooks and came packaged in a special envelope ensuring they held their smooth finish and sharp corners during shipment.

Packaged Polaroid Style Cards

 I was pleased with how the images turned out and think the white space will be perfect for journaling. Watch for a future post where I will share the scrapbook and how I used these.

Instajunction Polaroid Style Cards

I did notice that all of the prints had a bit of a grainy look. I think this has more to do with the saved images from Instagram than a printing issue as I've seen the same thing in prints from other companies. I'm mentioning it purely for a complete, open review. Overall, I'm very happy with the quality and price. I would order from Instajunction again.

Interested in ordering your own prints? Get 15% off your Instajunction order using code FR10BT6X. Expires December 31, 2013.

Note: A £25 gift code was provided to me to select product(s) for review. The opinions expressed are are strictly my own.

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#BacktoSchool with Mabel's Labels

It's back to school time and that also means time to label all of your child's belongings. Mabel's Labels is a fun & easy way to do just that. Dylan is still in preschool, but we are labeling like crazy from his clothes to his nap mat.

A few of the summer camp activities he's enjoyed the past couple months have included taking something extra to school. We've been using the personalized Sticky Labels to ID these - a flashlight for "camping out" day and a container with fruit to share during a lesson on gardening. For the fruit, I chose to send it in a plastic, inexpensive container we had on hand and smacked the label right on.

Mabel's Labels are dishwasher & microwave safe as well as waterproof. After "fruit day," the container came home and I tossed it straight into the dishwasher with the label on. When I pulled it out, the label looked as good as it did when I first put it on. Several more uses of the container; temperature change from sitting in the cabinet to storage in the refrigerator to washing & drying in the dishwasher. It still looks perfect.

And then, I had one more thought. This is a 'junk' container, but what if it wasn't. Will the label remove ok? Remember, this is after weeks of use and dishwasher runs. I pulled at the corner and, sure enough, it peeled off easily and cleanly. You can't tell where the label was. Nice!

I'm definitely pleased. If you're looking for a fun & easy way to label your child's belongings for back to school, Mabel's Labels is the way to go.


Can't decide on a single product? You don't have to. Order the Ultimate Back-To-School Combo. It includes 40 Skinny-Minis, 50 Tag Mates, 16 Shoe Labels and 2 Teeny Tags.

Note: a set of 40 Personalize Sticky Labels were provided to me for review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

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FlipsAudio Solo 2 Social Review

I work in an open office. No longer in one of the cubical spaces in the center, but my new office only has 3 full walls and then opens to the rest of the room. This means it can get a little noisy at times even with music flowing through my small computer speakers.

I had been debating headphones for the times I really needed to block everyone else out and focus. So, when I saw a chance to try & review a pair of Solo 2 Social headphones from FlipsAudio, I immediately responded.

Inside the box I found an oval zippered carrying case, the headphones, a USB cord and instructions. The FlipsAudio headphones function like normal headphones when you plug them in and place over your ears to listen.

The USB and instructions were for the speaker option. Charge the headphones using the USB cable and then you can "flip" them to speaker position and share your music with those around (get it - solo 2 social?). What's really cool to me is that the headphones "know" based on position whether you are using them as headphones or speakers. If you take them off and set down in the headphone position, you'll hardly hear anything as you step away. Flip them to speakers and suddenly, there is music to share. Very cool.

Honestly, Dylan managed to try them first and he thought they were pretty cool! I took them to work the next day, tossing the carrying case into my briefcase. Sure enough, there was enough noise mid-morning that I needed to block the world out and focus. I popped on the FlipsAudio headphones and away the background went while I focused on a set of plans I needed to mark up.

Final run down ... these are attractive, well made headphones. They fold easily to store and travel well in the carrying case. I did find them a little tight on my head, but I've had that issue with headphones before. I imagine they will be more comfortable after a few more wears. The padding along the top and at the ears is very comfy.

Interested in getting your own pair? FlipsAudio is offering $10 Off on Flips Solo 2 Social Headphones plus a free rush shipping upgrade when you use the code FA0010INT  This offer is exclusive to purchases made online at www.flipsaudio.com and valid from June 12, 2013 through July 16, 2013. Each unit purchased will receive $10.00 off the online retail price plus an “upgrade” of your shipping from ground to Rush 3-Day at no additional cost to you. This Offer is unlimited in quantity and cannot be combined with any other offers.

Note: The FlipsAudio Solo 2 Social heaphones were provided to me for free for review. The opinions expressed are are strictly my own.

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52 Weeks Photo Book

Blurb has added new photo book templates to its already long list of book options - the Designer Collection. These 7x7 books come in 4 different styles.

I was excited to have an opportunity to try one. I spent a few hours the weekend before last putting it together on Blurb's site. My biggest problem was deciding on an idea for my book. I finally settled on a 52 weeks book using my Instagram photos. I simply linked my Instagram account and began importing the photos I wanted to use. That was my 2nd biggest problem - choosing just one photo for each week of 2012. I selected the Austin book style which gave me space for 4 additional photos on the cover (so, yes, technically, that means I have 52 weeks represented in 56 photos).

I chose to just let the photos be the focus. The only text is on the final page and back cover where I explained the 52 weeks theme and briefly highlight some of the details of the year the photos depict - places, events, people.

My book was delivered on Saturday. It arrived in perfect condition. Nice, hardcover with a dust jacket. Inside, the photos are printed onto premium paper with a lustre finish. It is a good thickness and has a slick feel.

Overall, I'm absolutely thrilled with the book. It's very well put together and showcases my photos nicely. We've all enjoyed thumbing through it reliving little details of 2012. Amazing how much happened in those 52 weeks including all the photos I didn't have room for. Think I might have a new annual project.

If you're interested in making your own book using the Designer Book Templates*, Blurb is offering my readers 20% discount. Enter code DESIGNMYBOOK. Expires 3/31/13 11:59 local time and is only good for the Designer Collection photo book templates.

*Discount fine print: Get 20% USD, AUD, CAD or EUR off your Blurb Designer Bookify product total up to $150. May only be used once per customer and on books created by you. May not be combined with any other coupons, volume discount or applied retroactively to previous orders.

Note: The Designer Collection Photo Book was provided to me for free by Blurb. The opinions expressed are my own.

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Blurb Custom Planner

I ordered my 2013 planner from Blurb just before Thanksgiving and was excited to find it on my doorstep late last week. I spent a good bit of time filling it with photos from previous years. Lots of good memories.

The Blurb BookSmart software is free and very easy to use. I simply selected my photos, chose the page and added them. I also was able to add notes to specific dates in my calendar (ie, birthdays) that I wanted to remember.

I selected the 6x9 size with an ImageWrap hardcover. At first glance I could see how perfect the cover was. The printing is crisp. The corner edge from back photo to spine color is on the mark.

Inside, each page is exactly how I laid it out from images to text on special days.

The big monthly photos are fantastic.

The little weekly photos aren't quite as good. I knew they were small which is fine, but was surprised how many looked grainy. Most were taken with my DSLR (like the one below) although some with my point and shoot or iPhone. Regardless, I thought they might look a little better than they do.

That said, overall I'm very pleased with my new planner and am excited to start using it! Since you can select any date to start, I almost wish I'd started with December so I could be using it now.

Note: The 6x9 Custom Planner was provided to me at a discount by Blurb for reviewing. The opinions expressed within the review are my own.

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Little Tikes Neighborhood Market

Over the summer, Little Tikes hosted a giveaway to raise awareness for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. To enter, a photo needed to be shared on Twitter and include the hashtag #LittleTikesLovesLemonade. 5 winners received a free Neighborhood Market playset.

I shared a photo of Dylan driving his Cozy Coupe down our sidewalk. In early July I was contacted by Little Tikes and notified that we were one of the lucky winners!

All of this happened right as we were preparing to sell our house and move. I knew if Dylan saw this new toy, he'd want to open it immediately. Given that anything already boxed would be easier to move, I opted to ship it to my in-laws house and have them store it until we were in our new home.

The day we picked up the toy, I snuck it into our car while Dylan was busy playing with his grandmother. He fell asleep on the ride home. I took advantage of the opportunity to get it into the house without him seeing. A few minutes later, he walked in, saw the box and just stopped & stared. He finally walked over to the box and said, "Wow! Cool." This is before we had even opened it!

All 3 of us worked on putting it together (ok, so Dylan focused more on the toy food & cash register while Trent & I did the "construction" part). And all 3 of us have been playing with it since. Our days are now filled with, "Dada, you want to buy?" "Mama, you want to buy?" Dylan loves selling us food from his market. He even had me write "Dylan's Market" on the sign just like the box.

The entire market is so cute - It has a handle on one end and wheels on the opposite to easily move it to different locations. The food area has clear sliding doors on the front and 2 shelves with 3 bins each to hold the food (it comes with fruit, ice cream cones & cupcakes). Under the sign is an awning to pull down when closed or roll up when open. To complete the fun, the market includes a cash register, 4 plastic dollars and a credit card.

Note: The Neighborhood Market was received free to me as a prize in a giveaway sponsored by Little Tikes. A review or otherwise was not required as part of my win. The opinions expressed within the review are my own.

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Busted T-Switch

The words "uh oh" can mean a variety of things when it comes to a toddler. I went to see what led to them one morning last month. Dylan had been alone in the living room setting up a new train track while I was cleaning up the kitchen. As I approached, he said, "sorry, Mama." Uh oh. Then I saw it - the broken piece of track:

I was stunned. I didn't even think you could break these tracks. But, sure enough, a portion of it had snapped clean off. Thus I shared the photo via Instagram and Twitter commenting  ":( D broke his @MelissaAndDoug t-switch track." 

For what it's worth, I know Melissa and Doug is very responsive via Twitter. Maybe not to every comment, but they certain man their social media well. I had a quick response to call their 800 number. I did and was shocked to find a REAL person answered the phone. Seriously, for a chatty person, I was momentarily stunned. I expected an automated system and told their customer service rep just that! She laughed and joked with me about it. Then listened to my explanation of why I was calling (broken piece, Twitter). Which all led to this:

Melissa and Doug shipped Dylan a replacement piece! Amazing. I did not expect that at all. Thank you, Melissa and Doug! You rate #1 for us with quality toys and personable, awesome customer service.

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Adios Highchair

Last week Dylan's new booster seat arrived and we transitioned from the highchair. It's another one of those milestones that show me just how much he's grown - a bit bittersweet!

Relaxing in his SpaceSaver High Chair at two days old while we ate dinner.

We registered for, and received, the Fisher Price SpaceSaver High Chair before Dylan was born. In our small home it made sense as it could be used from birth to toddler and strapped into an existing dining table chair versus being a stand alone unit. I also liked that it could be converted to a booster seat by removing the tray, seat cushion and upper portion of the back. However, the booster option didn't work out for us as it is too high to push under our table. Thus I went in search of another option.

Our almost 3 year old boy sitting in his Soft Booster at dinner last night.

I ended up purchasing the Prince Lionheart Soft Booster. He was so excited when he saw the box last Tuesday morning and I pointed to it at the table. Every meal at home has been eaten sitting there ever since. He's definitely enjoying his new seat and his new spot at the table with us instead of beside it.

Update 10/21/12: While Dylan still enjoys his booster seat, I'm a little disappointed. It has "stuck" to our chair which I appreciate in that it doesn't slide off when he's getting in and out, but this has damaged the finish to the chair seat - both in looks and leaving it sticky. Some of my friends have had the same experience with similar seats from other companies. Something to keep in mind when considering this product.

Note: This review contains my personal opinion on a product we use. Neither a request nor compensation were provided.

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Toddler Sleep Training Clock

We've been blessed that Dylan has been a good sleeper since his early days of life. Before his birth, we'd heard the stories of babies that have their days and nights mixed up. I had hopes he already "knew" the difference since he was always more active in utero during the day. He barely stirred overnight unless I did and then it seemed like he was just resettling as I was. I did slightly worry after he was born in the evening - thinking he might believe it was morning (yes, totally irrational, but isn't that the norm for a new, sleep deprived mom?). Instead, he slept longer stretches at night from the very beginning.

Then a few months ago, he suddenly shifted his morning wake up to an hour earlier. Now, admittedly, changing from 7:30am to 6:30am might not sound so bad. With me staying at home, we have the luxury, if you will, to delay the start to our day. I didn't mind him up a bit earlier but I did mind it affected his mood. My sweet boy was a bit on the grumpy side due to lack of sleep. A couple of my friends had had good luck using sleep training clocks with their toddlers who are close in age to Dylan. This change in schedule pushed me to start looking into them.

Searching online, I quickly found they all seem to be in a price range of about $30-40. I was initially interested in the Baby Zoo monkey kids alarm clock - a perfect fit for Dylan's zoo themed room. The monkey closes his eyes during sleep time and opens them when it's time to get up. It also features an analog clock which I thought would be beneficial in helping him learn to tell time.

I ended up with the KID'sleep clock though as I found it at a consignment sale for $8. I couldn't resist that price and snatched it up. Dylan was quite excited when I showed him his new "clock" and set it up on the shelf over his dresser. The front has interchangeable face plates. One is a single scene for using the clock as a nightlight for younger toddlers/infants. The second plate, which we use, has a split image with an awake bunny at the top and sleeping bunny on the bottom. I set the alarm to 7:00am which triggers the awake bunny to light up then and alert Dylan that it is okay for him to come out of his room. There is an audible alarm option, but we haven't used it yet. Since our schedule is flexible, I prefer the quiet flip of the light only. Occasionally, he will oversleep the bunny waking! Most days though, we will hear him awake & playing in his room followed by joyful cries, "bunny up! Bunny up!" at 7:00am.

One of our final night time remarks each night is "see you when the bunny wakes!" whether I'm tucking him in or saying goodbye before heading out to work. Either way, he knows when the bunny wakes in the morning, the day is ready to begin and he'll find Mama & Dada there.

Note: the particular version of the KID'sleep clock we have has only one alarm setting. During naptime, I do flip the bunny to sleep but he doesn't wake up. Per online searches, it does appear there is a version that has two alarms. We've managed fine with one but if you feel the need for two, do some careful searching and product label reading.

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My Memories Suite v3 Review & Giveaway

I was excited about the opportunity to try My Memories Suite v3 software and, better yet, giveaway a copy to one of my blog readers as well! I was already looking at software options for our laptop that would allow me to work on my digital scrapbook pages when away from home (or when I just want to lounge on the sofa). As it worked out, I actually got the software while out of town and downloaded it straight to my laptop.

I like how user friendly this software is - I literally just opened it and started creating. I did have a few questions and found the videos posted on the My Memories blog to be helpful.

So far I've created two pages using the software. The first one was fairly simple as I familiarized myself with the software and with kits available at the My Memories store. I used a free beach element and created the title using the word art option:

Supplies - Beach Baby: Lindsay Jane's Sea Breeze Frame

By the second page, I was moving faster and got a little more elaborate with my design. I played around with kits purchased elsewhere. This is a huge plus - you can use kits from other stores in the My Memories Suite v3 software and those kits purchased from My Memories store can be used with other software.

Supplies - Hot Diggity Dog: Shannon Hegarty's Secretary papers; Gennifer Bursett's Toolbox Mists Vol 6; Robyn Meierotto's Mellow alpha; Karla Dudley's Right Now elements.

Interested in winning a copy of My Memories Suite v3 for yourself? Just visit MyMemories.com and then leave a comment on this post naming your favorite kit. It's that simple.

Want to gain additional entries? Here's how:

1. Follow me on Twitter - @2pawsdesigns
2. Follow My Memories Suite on Twitter - @MyMemoriesSuite
3. Tweet about this giveaway (valid for extra entry once per day) - "I want to #win the My Memories Suite #digiscrap software #giveaway from @mymemoriessuite & @2pawsdesigns! http://bit.ly/ykdKWD Please RT"
4. Blog about this giveaway
5. "Like" 2paws Designs on Facebook
6. "Like" My Memories Suite on Facebook

For each additional entry, please post a new comment. Ie, if you tweeted or blogged about the giveaway, come back and post a link. Thanks and good luck!!

Giveaway ends Thursday, March 1 at 9:00pm Eastern time. Winner will be announced Friday, March 2nd.

If you don't win the free copy, you can still get a copy of the software at a discount. Use coupon code STMMMS54884 for $10 off the purchase of My Memories Suite v3 AND a $10 coupon to the MyMemories.com store. Feel free to share this code with friends & family.

Note: My Memories Suite contacted me with this promotional opportunity. I received the My Memories Suite software for review All opinions expressed are strictly my own.

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New Fort

Two years ago, we bought a Step2 Kangaroo Climber for Dylan from Craigslist. We've frequently referred to it as his "fort." He's loved it, but also outgrown it. Too tall for the doorway (occasionally forgetting to duck!) and had mastered climbing up & over both sides - it was time for something bigger.

First time down the slide. March 2010

Last week searching Craigslist again, I found a Woodland Climber for a good price. I wasn't certain it would fit in our CR-V, but, thankfully, a friend offered to help and Sunday afternoon we brought it home. Dylan was ecstatic about his "new fort" even though it was in a pile of pieces on our patio!

Monday afternoon, with the rain subsided, we headed outside to clean it off and put it together. Oh, yes, there was still a good bit of sogginess and mud in our backyard, and it was chilly, but that didn't bother him at all. He was so excited to help me clean each piece and assemble it. He was even pointing out which piece was next (without directions!) and telling me what to do. So funny!

Helping clean & assemble the new climber

Right as we finished, the new owner of the Kangaroo Climber arrived. I wasn't sure how Dylan was going to react, but he did great. He climbed on it again while I showed it to her. Then helped us take it apart and carry pieces to the car. He even said "goodbye" as it left to create happy memories for it's 3rd family. A bit bittersweet for me, I'll admit, as it's one more sign my little boy is growing up! But I can't deny the happiness on this little face after climbing up into his new "big" fort for the first time:

A very happy big boy. :)

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New Wheels

You know you're a mom when your "new wheels" excitement equals a new stroller! ;) In late June I saw a tweet from Kolcraft (@Kolcraft) regarding a chance to win their new Contours Optima Tandem Stroller. The contest was detailed on their blog here. Basically, each day during the contest you could tweet an entry that had to start with "Oh Optima how I love your ..." and include the hash tag #ContoursOptima.

I entered 3 times. On the final day of the contest, I sent this tweet:

Oh Optima how I love your sleek design. Walking w/you would be divine. The kids would cheer & I could finally tone my rear. #ContoursOptima

And, lucky me, that ended up being the winning tweet! To say I was shocked was an understatement.

I was still pinching myself when the box arrived on my doorstep! Now for those who missed why I need a double stroller - I watch my 10 month old niece during the week along with Dylan. We get out of the house quite regularly. Some days we do okay with her in Dylan's lightweight stroller and him on the buddy harness (yes, I proudly use one - I'm not willing to chance losing my child or worse). But there are times when I need to be able to push them both and this has been a blessing to all 3 of us.

Can you see the smile on his face?

The seats detach from the frame and, combined with the included universal car seat adapter (a second can be ordered), there are 6 different seating arrangements. Our favorite is both seats facing each other. This allows them to interact. With the previous tandem stroller we had, both seats only faced forward. Dylan was constantly turning to reach "baby" and hand her snacks or was getting frustrated when she leaned forward and pulled his hair. Now they both sit comfortably.

I like the padded grip, parent tray, large storage basket underneath (I can easily fit both their diaper bags with room leftover) and how smooth the stroller rides. It's so nice to be able to comfortably push & maneuver a stroller that seats two. We've taken it for a spin all over from the mall to 2+ mile walks down the greenway.

Padded grip and large parent tray with 2 cup holders

One of the other things I like is that this stroller is only 37 pounds making it nice and lightweight. It can be folded with both seats attached or one/both removed. I have found it simplest and easiest on my back to remove both seats, then fold the frame to place it in my car. This may sound tricky, but the seats detach so easily, I can quickly do it now and be on my way.

This literally just touches the tip of the iceberg. There are plenty of other great details (the adjustable height canopies, different seat & footrest angles, 5-point harness on both seats, etc) and two stylish color schemes to choose from. Overall, I'm very pleased and think it's a wonderful product. Thanks again to Kolcraft for this great prize!

Note: The Contours Optima Tandem stroller was received free to me as a prize in a giveaway sponsored by Kolcraft. A review or otherwise was not required as part of my win. The opinions expressed within the review are my own.

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CSN Stores Review

Has it really been almost 2 months since I said I was going to shop at CSN Stores?  I always have one small problem - making a decision!  The inventory is so huge and I have a great time looking and trying to narrow down my list. This time, I picked from both my "wants" and "needs."

In the "wants" category was a LeapFrog fridge magnetic toy.  Dylan loves playing with the magnets on our fridge (off, on, rearranging) and had fun with the Fridge Farm Magnetic Animal Set at a friend's house so I thought he might enjoy this type of toy.  I selected the Fridge Wash & Go Magnetic Vehicle Set as he loves cars & planes. And I picked right.  Dylan was eager to get his hands on it the moment I opened the box! 

The toy comes with the base (bubble wash) and 10 puzzle pieces that form 25 vehicle combinations. You can match the pieces to create a green train, yellow car, blue boat, red fire engine and white plane or mix up the pieces for a unique vehicle.  The base turns on and responds to the pieces you place.  If you make a match, it will say the vehicle color and type ("green train").  If you mix up the pieces, it will tell you what your combination was - for example, "car in the front and train in the back."  I've only actually heard this when I've mixed them though as Dylan is a stickler for matching them exactly!  He'll even come behind me to "fix" them if I mixed up pieces. ;)

The toy also plays songs after pieces have been placed or when the stoplight is pushed. Admittedly, I've heard the main song enough I have it memorized now, but he loves pressing the buttons to start the music and then dance along. So cute and it's been great for giving him something to do in the kitchen while I'm fixing meals.  He has played with this toy every day since it arrived.

On the "needs" side of my list, I selected an item for our four-legged kids - a Petmate Cafe Pet Feeder.  We had been using two bowls, but since I moved their food into a cabinet out of Dylan's reach, it seems they eat it faster than I remember to fill it!  This has resulted in a lot of loud meowing.  Thus, I set out to find a self-feeder to put in place of the bowls.  We had tried another one also by Petmate years ago and found it didn't meet up to it's promise of automatically replenishing the food. The food did not come out unless we shook or knocked it out ourselves.  I was hopeful this new style would work better.

Unfortunately, we have a similar situation.  The food does not replenish automatically.  I am having to shake it myself periodically.  I've tried showing our cats how to paw at it to pull more down.  No luck there either.  Perhaps you can't teach old cats new tricks, either? ;)  Overall though it is a nice feeder.  I like how it does store a reasonable amount of food so I'm not having to pull out the bag and refill it frequently as I did with the bowls.  It's also very easy to clean which is always a plus.

Thanks again to CSN Stores for giving me an opportunity to shop!

Note: CSN Stores contacted me with this promotional opportunity and I received a giftcard to use toward a purchase for my review. However, all opinions expressed are strictly my own.

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