Electronics – Page 6

Protect Your Home With Canary #Review #Giveaway

Published on April 7, 2016 by stephanybissonette5 Comments

For those of you who haven’t heard of Canary yet, it’s one of the greatest new products I’ve come across in quite some time. Canary is a home security camera, but it’s also SO much more than that. Along with the ability to protect your home visually, you can also monitor the temperature, humidity, and air quality in your home which is perfect for someone like myself who has an asthmatic child. I have been looking into home security for a while and the Canary just seemed like a no-brainer.

The Canary is a sleek little device that comes in three different colors (white, silver, and black) so no matter what your home decor is, you can fit it in easily without it being seen.

The set-up is super simple, which I am thankful for. I am not the most tech savvy person and set-up only took a few short minutes, and I was walked through every step via the Canary app. Once you’re connected, navigating through the app is seamless and you can arm or disarm your camera any time. One feature I really like is the self-recognition of when you’re not home. Since I run off of my home wifi on my phone, the Canary can detect when I’ve left my wifi range and arms itself incase I forget to before I leave. Rushing out the door with three children sometimes can be hectic, and I have forgotten so that’s a great feature that I’m totally in love with.

The video quality on the camera is superior. If anyone should ever break into your home, you will have crystal clear footage to show to the police and likely catch the assailant much quicker. The Canary is also night vision equipped so whether it’s night or day, you will have quality video. The audio is also really great quality, which will come in handy when leaving my teenager home to watch the two younger kids. It helps give me peace of mind if my husband and I want to make a quick run to the store without the kids in tow. The Canary is motion activated so you will get an alert on your phone as soon as activity in the home is detected. So far it’s only been my cats tripping the motion sensor, but I feel much more at ease knowing I would be able to possibly get police to my home before a burglar would be able to leave with our possessions.

Another feature I really love on the Canary (I know, you’re thinking there’s more, right?) is the siren that you can control remotely from your phone. It’s 90+ decibels and let me tell you, it is LOUD. Not only would it scare a burglar but definitely alert neighbors to a potential emergency situation. Every feature of the Canary was thought out brilliantly, and I plan on definitely getting a couple more to have the whole house covered.

Don’t just take my word for it, Canary has also been generous enough to sponsor a giveaway!!! One lucky winner will receive a Canary of their own! Giveaway will begin 04/08/16 at midnight EST and will end 04/15/16 midnight EST. Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen. All giveaway entries will be validated. Winners are randomly selected. Click the link below to enter:

Enter the Canary Giveaway Here!!!

***I did not receive any financial compensation, simply the product free to me in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion***

Give The Gift Of Communication With Boost Mobile

Published on March 12, 2016 by stephanybissonette11 Comments

In today’s fast paced world, staying connected is important for pretty much everyone. Whether you need to stay connected for work or just want to be able to connect with friends and family you need a network you can count on every minute of every day. Nine years ago I had the unfortunate experience of my phone service dropping overnight. I missed the call that my father had passed away and returned the voicemail to reach a recording…”thank you for calling the Sacramento County coroner’s office…”. My heart dropped. My gut was twisted. My father was the only person I would be receiving a call about from Sacramento County. After what seemed an eternity on hold, I was greeted by a deputy who informed me my father passed away. After such an awful experience and missing something so crucially important I immediately began looking for a new provider. Within a year I had tried a few companies to no avail. I live in the middle of nowhere and it’s next to impossible to find acceptable, let alone great, service.

After a friend suggested trying Boost Mobile I checked out the phones as well as plans and found myself delightfully impressed. I picked up a phone and figured it was at least worth a shot. Well, that was almost 8 years ago and I have been a loyal Boost Mobile customer since. The service is incredible, the cost of the service is unbelievably impressive, and the customer service is phenomenal. Of course over the years I have seen my fair share of phones as technology evolves, but I have been incredibly blessed and was given the opportunity to review the Samsung Galaxy J3 on the Boost network!

I figure what better way to not only show you the remote area Boost works in as well as the camera on the Samsung Galaxy J3 than a quick view from the front porch. The neighbors are few, the coyotes and rattlers are in abundance, and the picture truly captures the beauty I get to stare at every day. (Some may not enjoy the remoteness as I do, but I find it peaceful.) I can’t wait to capture the beauty around me as well as my ADORABLE kids in perfect clarity.

The HD Super AMOLED display gives the most crisp, clear images I’ve ever seen on a phone. The screenshots don’t do it much justice, the Galaxy J3 really has a stunning display. Apps install quickly, run smoothly, and it really leaves nothing to be desired.

Whether you’re considering giving the gift of communication for Easter or are looking to upgrade or change providers with your tax return, Boost Mobile is the ONLY way to go in my opinion. There are so many different styles of phones available with a variety of payment options, there’s something for everyone!

***GIVEAWAY!!!***

Boost Mobile has also been generous enough to sponsor a giveaway!!! One lucky winner will receive a brand new LG Tribute 5 to use on the Boost Mobile network. Giveaway will begin 03/12/16 at midnight EST and will end 03/19/16 midnight EST. Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen. All giveaway entries will be validated. Winners are randomly selected. Click the link below to enter:

Enter the Boost Mobile LG Tribute 5 Giveaway Here!!!

***I did not receive any financial compensation, simply the product free to me in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion***

The Best VHS/DVD Converter Review

Published on January 31, 2016 by stephanybissonette1 Comment

I have been on the hunt for a VHS to DVD converter for a while now, and when I came across The VHS to DVD Converter from Hammacher Schlemmer, I knew it was a machine I needed to try.

As you can see, I have a collection of almost 100 VHS tapes of my favorite movies, not counting the numerous home movies I have and wanted to switch to DVD. Until now, all of these movies have just been sitting, collecting dust, and aging in a box. Thanks to Hammacher Schlemmer, I have been having a blast converting these old dinosaur tapes to something that my children and I can actually watch and enjoy.

For someone like myself who isn’t exactly technologically intelligent, the VHS/DVD converter has been a blessing because it is so simple to use. It took me a few minutes to get the hang of it, but once I did it’s really as simple as push one button, and your tape is converted to a DVD. If you want to be able to watch the DVD on a different machine, that’s actually really simple too. Once your movie is done converting to DVD, simply go into the menu, and select finalize disc. Now you’re ready to pop your DVD into any player, and watch the movies that bring back so many memories.

That all being said, you will need to keep in mind that not every VHS tape you have will convert. Some are copy protected with macrovision, and will not allow the tape to be dubbed. I have read that there is a way around that with a digital video stabilizer, but being that they are around $90, I just opted to buy the small stack of movies that won’t convert used on DVD. Most of my movies did convert with no issue, and keep in mind this is not a defect in the machine, it’s doing exactly what it’s supposed to do and protecting the material on the tape like it’s supposed to.

This is a really cool little machine, and I can’t wait until I’m done converting the last few movies so I can finally rid myself of the big bulky box of VHS tapes.

***I did not receive any financial compensation, simply the product free to me in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion***

Power Your Devices On The Go And In Style With The PowerPlant

Published on January 24, 2016 by stephanybissonette1 Comment

If you’re looking for a way to charge your phone on the go without giving up style and durability, look no further. NOMAD has the answer to all of your problems.

The PowerPlant from NOMAD is not only incredibly beautiful, but also as functional and durable as you could ever hope it would be. The PowerPlant is carved from a solid block of American Walnut giving it an incredibly sleek and stylish appearance. The anodized aluminum face plate is incredibly durable, and has survived much more abuse than I thought it would.

My husband moves, transports, and installs manufactured homes, so he doesn’t have time to stick close to a wall outlet when his phone’s battery is dying. Most of the time he’s under a house where a power source isn’t an option any ways, so I figured this would be the perfect solution to his problems. The high density 12,000 mAh hour battery has blown me away. My husband was able to go all week using the PowerPlant to keep his phone and mp3 player charged, and didn’t have to recharge the PowerPlant itself until the end of the week. Not only has it kept my husband’s devices charged, the PowerPlant has survived a brutal environment that I wasn’t sure it would survive.

There’s only one regret I have after giving my husband the PowerPlant…I want it! I guess I know what I’ll be asking for as my birthday gift next month!

***I did not receive any financial compensation, simply the product free to me in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion***

Help Your Child Gain Confidence With Dry Buddy

Published on January 4, 2016 by stephanybissonetteLeave a comment

Many of you know by now the struggles that my middle child faces with nighttime bed wetting. I didn’t realize it was more common than I thought until I opened up about the struggles my son faces and learned that many of you have children who struggle with the same issue. After seeing a few doctors (family practice, general practice, and pediatrician) as well as a couple trips to the urologist, we discovered that there was no physical problems causing this issue, just a matter of brain and bladder not communicating effectively at night. My son has been pretty disappointed with his wetting issues because it prevents him from enjoying the simple things a ten year old child should be able to enjoy like sleepovers with his friends. When I came across Dry Buddy I was hopeful that there may be help available for my poor little guy.

The Dry Buddy Flex system comes with everything you’ll need to help your child re-train their body to wake up before the wetting begins. If your child is a deep sleeper like mine, it may be helpful to buy an extra transceiver so you have one in your room…believe me, the first few nights this will come in VERY handy.

In your box you will find the transceiver and power cord, remote control for transceiver, and the sensor for the Dry Buddy briefs.

The Dry Buddy briefs are super easy to use. There are snaps at the top where the sensor snaps right in, but you can put the sensor on the front of the briefs as well. The magnets are super powerful and will hold the sensor in place no matter where you put it.

The general idea is that you will be able to transition away from the Dry Buddy in about 4 weeks time. I figured if 4 weeks was all it took, count me in! I was not prepared for how effectively and quickly the system works.

The first couple nights using the Dry Buddy Flex my son’s transceiver went off a few times. The next couple nights the alarm only went off twice, and the next few nights after that only once. After only one weeks time, we had a WHOLE NIGHT where the alarm didn’t sound at all! First thing I did in the morning was check the transceivers and sensor to make sure all were working and they sure as heck were! We are now FIVE nights dry!! I was hopeful that the system would work but had my reservations at the same time. Being that this is an issue we struggled with for years, I wasn’t so sure it would be as easy at the Dry Buddy system retraining the signal to go from brain to bladder effectively. All of my expectations have been surpassed, and I can’t stop singing songs of praise about Dry Buddy to all of my friends and family who have children who suffer from nighttime wetting as well.

***I did not receive any financial compensation, simply the product free to me in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion***

iRULU 8 Inch 32GB Quad Core Tablet Review

Published on December 29, 2015 by stephanybissonetteLeave a comment

I have been on the hunt for a while for a good tablet that has the Windows operating system. I love the functionality of Windows, and wanted the portability of a tablet. Until now I had been let down by the products I was finding. I got the chance to review the iRULU 8 inch 32 GB Quad Core Tablet and I have been blown away at the things that this amazing little tablet is capable of.

The first thing that I noticed when powering up my iRULU tablet for the first time was the amazing clarity and crispness of the display. It’s hard to capture in a picture just how clear the images are…this picture does no justice to how beautiful the resolution is.

I do a lot of web surfing, and the built in browser handles everything I have thrown at it. I’ve tried opening multiple tabs and keeping all tabs busy to see what it takes to slow the iRULU tablet down and so far, nothing has!

The Windows store has plenty of games and apps so you can still use the tablet for all of your favorite games. I love being able to have the same games I would play on an android system as well as having Microsoft games available like Halo thanks to the Windows operating system.

Games install at lightning speed which was surprising for me. In just a few seconds you’ll be ready for hours of fun. This tablet just keeps amazing me at how quickly it does everything. There is ZERO lag in video or sound when playing games allowing for a more fun, less frustrating gaming experience.

Microsoft office programs are already installed on the iRULU tablet so you can work just as functionally as you can play. My son was easily able to compose a short story for school, save it, and email it to his teacher all from the comfort of his bed.

Microsoft Excel is also available to help you stay organized and functional. I have found this to be a great tool to help with budgeting. I can make a quick spreadsheet and see what finances need to go where for the week.

If you need to make a presentation for anything, iRULU has you covered there as well. Microsoft PowerPoint makes it easy to work on the go so you can go more places. Being able to bring your work with you means less time tied to a desktop computer, and more time out enjoying the world.

I had high expectations for the iRULU 8 Inch 32GB Quad Core Tablet and I’m amazed at how much it excelled in every area. It’s more like a handheld computer, not a tablet. I can do everything on this tablet that I can do on my desktop computer, and I can do it faster on the tablet! From browsing the internet, to gaming, to working…the iRULU tablet will handle everything seamlessly leaving nothing additional desired.

***I did not receive any financial compensation, simply the product free to me in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion***

‘Clean’ Has Never Been This Clean Thanks To The Shark Blast & Scrub 2-in-1

Published on December 16, 2015 by stephanybissonette1 Comment

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I pride myself on a clean house. I spend 3-4 hours a day cleaning the house, making sure there is a place for everything, and everything in it’s place. I don’t like messes or clutter, and that can be a hard thing to accomplish with three children and a husband who comes home from work unbelievably filthy every day. I was hoping the Shark Blast & Scrub 2-in-1 was going to help make cleaning easier and more productive, but I had NO idea the hidden dirt in my home that it would uncover.

The Shark Blast & Scrub 2-in-1 will come with everything you’ll need to clean every inch of your home from top to bottom. I love how easily you can switch back and forth between attachments. It’s a simple as pushing a release button and popping another attachment on, so there is no wasted time, which a busy mother like myself can truly appreciate.

The first thing that I wanted to test was of course doing a basic floor clean. I first mopped my floor with the mop I always use because I wanted to see what Shark could pick up that I wasn’t seeing. Oh…my…goodness. I have to say that I was pretty shocked, no, DISGUSTED when I saw the cleaning pad afterwards! YUCK! That’s what my mop was leaving behind every time, and my family was living in hidden filth! I am impressed with how clean the Blast & Scrub got my floor. It looks as good as the day my husband and I installed it.

I wanted to see what other kitchen magic Shark could work so I moved on to my table. You can see in the first picture above…my kids eat like animals. I went over the table and seating area with the hand attachment and same results as the floor…more hidden filth!

Okay Shark…what else can you do? We had sloppy joe’s for dinner the night before and in the morning I had a stuck on mess to clean. I broke out the Shark Blast & Scrub with the hand attachment and the stuck on, messy mess came off with ease and was sparkly clean afterwards.

But can it do bathrooms?? Oh yes, yes it can. When I moved into my house I immediately hated my bathroom. It’s old, outdated, and is the last thing being upgraded because our kids needed new beds before I needed new flooring, countertops, cabinets, and fixtures. There have always been these little black spots on the floor that drove me nuts and I could never get off. I again mopped the floor before using the Shark to see what a difference it could make and my goodness, I couldn’t believe it. Those little black spots, my arch nemesis had finally been removed!!! You can see how dirty the pad was and by this time I thought I’d be prepared for the hidden nastiness and I still wasn’t.

I have been staring at my ceiling fan for about a month now, and I knew it needed cleaning but that’s one thing I avoid because I’m so dang short. I figured no time like the present to try out the dusting attachment and it did an amazing job. It removed dust cakes off of the fan blade and made it sparkle like new.

After seeing all of the hidden filth that Shark removed from my home, I can’t believe I waited so long to try one. What a difference an amazing product can make in the effectiveness and quality in which my home is cleaned. What are you waiting for? Don’t put it off like I did…every household seriously needs this Shark Blast & Scrub 2-in-1!!

***I did not receive any financial compensation, simply the product free to me in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion***

Give Your Child The Gift Of Family Connections With Cloud Pets

Published on December 14, 2015 by stephanybissonette1 Comment

I have seen Cloud Pets advertised for a while now, and every time the ad comes on not only do I get the song stuck in my head, I’m also bombarded with, “Mom, can we get that? Mom, can I have one? Please?”. Recently my husband has been travelling a lot for work, and our daughter misses him incredibly when he’s gone. When I got the opportunity to review a Cloud Pet with my little one we were both dancing with joy.

If by some chance you live under a rock and haven’t seen Cloud Pets yet, the idea is pretty simple. Send a message via the Cloud Pets app, and your child’s Cloud Pets plush receives and plays the message. You can then send one back to your loved ones, with the simple push of a button. It’s a great way for kids to keep in touch with parents who are travelling, or relatives who live far away and can’t visit often.

The Cloud Pet is surprisingly simple to set up. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you’ll quickly be able to pair your device with your child’s Cloud Pet and you’re ready to send messages!

My daughter, like any other little girl, LOVES unicorns! I kept it a surprise which one she was getting until it actually got here because I wanted to see her adorable face light up. The top picture in the collage captures the surprise pretty well I think. I told her to sit with her eyes closed and when she opened them her unicorn had appeared! She pushed the button and heard daddy’s special message, and well, you can see how happy she was in the bottom 2 pictures. I love that something so pretty and soft can help my little girl feel like Daddy is still close, even when he’s far away.

There will be a parental dashboard, as well as a dashboard for your child where they have the ability to re-listen to messages, play fun games, and even read stories!

I’m pretty sure I see 2 more Cloud Pets joining the family soon for my sons so they can stay connected with family as well. These amazing stuffed animals are so wonderful, and I really regret that we waited so long to try it.

***I did not receive any financial compensation, simply the product free to me in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion***

Cool Down Dry Itchy Skin With Disney Cool Mist Humidifiers

Published on December 13, 2015 by stephanybissonette1 Comment

If you have a little one, chances are they’re obsessed with Disney like my little girl. I have been on the hunt for a good humidifier after my daughter’s pediatrician recommending one to help combat her dry skin that comes with the territory of having eczema. Emson makes a whole line of Disney Cool Mist Humidifiers that are perfect for children.

My daughter is particularly smitten with the movie ‘Frozen’. It hardly ever leaves her DVD player and she never gets bored of seeing her favorite movie. When I saw the Elsa and Anna humidifier I knew it would be one of my daughter’s favorite things she’s ever received.

I have the humidifier close to my daughter’s bed so that she can soak up all the benefits of the Cool Mist Humidifier. When I first started using the humidifier my whole household was getting over a cold. I noticed that my daughter was feeling better a couple days sooner than the rest of us, and I owe it all to the Cool Mist Humidifier. With the added moisture in the air her congestion was cleared up much faster than the rest of the family and she was back to her normal self quickly. After just a few days of use, I noticed an improvement in my daughter’s skin as well. Her ‘itchy patches’ were starting to go away, and she was scratching a lot less often.

What I like most about the Frozen Cool Mist Humidifier is that there is no filter needed (yay!), and it has antimicrobial protection so it won’t spread germs. The units are whisper quiet so it doesn’t disrupt my daughter’s sleep, which makes this mama very happy! You can adjust how much mist you want to come out, and there is an auto-off feature that comes in pretty handy for a busy mom like myself who forgets to refill things on a frequent basis. There are SO many benefits of the Cool Mist Humidifier and I am very pleased with it’s performance.

For those of you who don’t have ‘Frozen’ fans, there are also ‘Star Wars’ Cool Mist Humidifiers…I have my eye on the Darth Vader model for my sons room 🙂 .

***I did not receive any financial compensation, simply the product free to me in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion***

Cook Anything Your Heart Desires To Complete Perfection With The Best Toaster Oven

Published on December 11, 2015 by stephanybissonette2 Comments

If you typically purchase high quality products, chances are you already know the company Hammacher Schlemmer. When I came across The Best Toaster Oven, I knew I needed to try it for myself and see just what made it ‘the best’. Hammacher Schlemmer was generous enough to send me The Best Toaster Oven, giving me the much desired chance to try it out.

I love the sleek, beautiful appearance of the Breville Smart Oven, which is the title holder of ‘The Best Toaster Oven’. There are so many functions and features I couldn’t wait to try it out. The Smart Oven with Element IQ packs 1800 watts of power which is directed exactly where you need it depending on what you’re cooking. You can bake, broil, roast, cook pizza, even toast bread and bagels to perfection. You have the option to turn the convection fan on or off, allowing you to customize your cooking experience. The Element IQ technology turns the heating elements off when you’re timer expires, so you can rest assured that your food with be cooked perfectly every single time.

ALL of you know by now that I am a baker. I love to bake, and I’m always whipping up some baked good from scratch multiple times a week. So naturally, cookies were the first item I made with The Best Toaster Oven. The cookies baked beautifully and evenly…and I think they came out even better than using my large traditional oven.

Pizza is a staple in this household. I have three kids that just can’t get enough pizza, and it seems like every weekend I’m making them pizza for lunch. The pizza setting works perfectly for both fresh and frozen pizza (a setting you can choose using the dials) and cooks the pizza evenly for a perfect crust and beautifully melted cheese.

Cheesey sticks? Yeah…The Best Toaster Oven has got you covered there too! These are a favorite among my children and their friends so we make them often. Yet again, they came out better than if I would’ve used my traditional oven.

I think I was most impressed with the ability to blind bake a pie shell to perfection. The edges always turn out way too dark in my big oven but The Best Toaster Oven held it’s own and made the pie crust so beautiful it was almost a crime to fill it and eat it.

Of course, I couldn’t just let such a beautiful pie crust go to waste so why not challenge the toaster oven again? I don’t know about you, but I think that’s the most beautiful quiche I’ve ever seen. The eggs were cooked thoroughly while still leaving my cheese hot and melty on the inside. Delish!

You can’t forget about that beautifully, perfectly, crisp delicious toast I promised you. You can change the setting on the toaster oven depending on how dark or light you like your toast. The resulting perfect slice of toast will impress you every time. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and to die for when paired with butter.

I had high hopes for The Best Toaster Oven, and it did NOT disappoint. I haven’t used my large traditional oven in days, and I don’t miss it at all. I love the convenience of cooking on the countertop AND getting better results for some of the most amazing food I’ve ever tasted.

***I did not receive any financial compensation, simply the product free to me in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion***