Monthly Archives: January 2012

My Review of the All-New 2012 Honda CR-V

Car Reviews, Travel, , , ,

Honda CR-V 2012

Now completely transformed for its fourth generation, the 2012 Honda CR-V heads in a more sophisticated direction with refreshed styling, improved fuel economy, innovative technology and even greater value for money.

The 2012 Honda CR-V has received several changes from the 2011 model. Honda focused on offering the driver more space, improved technology and fuel economy. The vehicle was changed to make it more in line with the traditional SUV while remaining true to the mid-size Honda style.

CR-V Exterior

The fourth generation Honda CR-V’s subtle changes to the exterior and interior give consumers upgrades they expect in a new vehicle but Honda kept the overall design of the CR-V similar to previous models consumers have proven to love for years.  The exterior of the 2012 CR-V has stylish fenders and tail lights in this year’s model. The overall look of 2012 CR-V is more sleek than the previous model; the exterior is more aggressive overall. The front bumper has been lowered and the wheels are tailored with a large five-spoke alloy.  The CR-V from Honda in 2012 has a lower, more aggressive exterior style; the mid-size SUV offers more space with accommodations alongside better fuel economy to the driver. What’s not to love about that?

CR-V Interior

The interior for the 2012 Honda CR-V is intended to create more space inside the vehicle; overall, Honda wanted to be more accommodating to the passengers in the vehicle for toddler car-seats and other necessities and they succeeded with the many storage compartments including my favorite, the

The CR-V has a host of new features along with the new design; though, there are few faults in what Honda offers in the 2012 CR-V. The 2012 CR-V has improved engine performance and accomplished a more stylish appearance, in my opinion.

CR-V Engine & Fuel Economy

Honda has given the CR-V a lighter and more fuel efficient engine this year; the CR-V has two different engines for drivers to choose from for this model.  Either engine will still have the five-speed automatic transmission, however the difference will be between the old engine or a new option Honda is offering. The driver can choose the original 2.4 liter in-line engine from the previous model that produced 175 hp or the driver may choose the new option; the latest 2.5 liter in-line engine produces 201 hp. Honda has also claimed to improve the fuel efficiency for this year’s model.

 

Honda focuses on more style, more space and better performance in the new fourth generation CR-V; the company also wanted to offer more innovative technology to the driver. Beyond these changes, most aspects will be the same about the 2012 model from last year. Drivers will experience more space and better accommodations in this new model. The cargo space is a nice improvement and number of cup holders is fabulous too! The various luxury and technology packages and upgrades available for the 2012 CR-V can be seen on the CR-V website.

 

Honda CR-V Leap List

Honda has made a Leap List on Facebook.  I filled out my Leap List and can’t wait to see your Leap List!  Fill it out and add a link to your Leap List in the comments below, if you’d like to share.

Connect with Honda:

Disclosure: I was invited by Honda to test drive the 2012 Honda CR-V in California.  While my travel and accommodations were covered by Honda, I was not provided financial compensation for this review.  All opinions here are 100% my own and were not influenced in any way.

Alicia Hagan, Editor

Adorable Bird Themed Nursery Artwork – Tweet Tweet!

Age 0-1 year, Age 1-3, Nursery & Room Decor, ,

A baby’s nursery will be their first experience of being in their own environment. Along with the loving care of those who cherish them. Many parents have different ideas about what is the best decoration for a girl or boy’s room. Today, with the Internet the choices are endless and infinitely beautiful as well. Here are a few that will make any nursery charmingly aesthetic.

Adorable bird themed nursery artwork

1. Birds on a Tree

This pastel colored textured picture takes nature on a whole other level. Patterned birds of various hues are perched atop tree branches while a fanciful formed tree sprouts branches in every direction. This picture is quiet and calming with a silently moving graphic that will give a baby something pleasurable to look at.  See Birds on a Tree artwork here

2. Alli-Nesting Artwork by Creative Concepts

This hand painted picture is rich with a mix of dark and light hues. However, the color combination will work beautifully in a child’s nursery. Nature takes over with little birds snuggled in their nest, while a butterfly appears to be approaching to say hello. An adoring ribbon used for propping the picture up reminds you of how delicate life really is. See All-Nesting Artwork here

3. Compassion Pink

This all cotton violet hued canvas portrays the act of love in colors. It sets alight the inner feelings of nurturing and vulnerability simultaneously. The display of a young life cared for by their loving parent is what makes this painting so adorable. Soft colors are used as a backdrop with deep rich tones vibrating in the foreground. This is a lovely painting that will work in both a boys or girls nursery.  See Compassion nursery artwork here
I hope you enjoy these bird themed nursery artwork pieces and let me know if you have a favorite nursery theme, artist, or style, in the comments below. I’d love to share with our readers.
Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post.  I was not compensated in any way for the opinions in this post.
Alicia Hagan, Editor

The iPhone 4s, a Great Tool for Mom Bloggers

Gadgets, iphone, New posts,

iPhone 4s for mom bloggersThis is an anonymous guest post but reflects my opinions exactly!

iPhone 4s reminders appAs a busy mom blogger I absolutely love my new iPhone 4s.  There is no way that I would be able to run my blog, get my kids to their activities and still have time for myself. Before I got the iPhone 4s, I was running around like a toddler on a sugar high, I was making unnecessary trips to the store as I would get there and realize my list was still on the table, or missed appointments as I wrote them down in different places. Being able to set up reminders has really made a difference in my life. I guess you have to admit to yourself first that you just might not be able to remember everything anymore, and make a quick reminder to yourself. If anything, there is a greater chance you will remember it if you make a reminder as you are subconsciously writing it again into your memory. My husband laughs at how many reminders I have, and my kids joke that I should set a reminder to remember to set up reminders. I let them laugh, but they are the ones who benefit when I don’t forget to pick up their favorite treats at the store, or when they forget their uniform at home, but due to one of my reminders I grabbed off the table for them. Then they love my reminders.

iPhone 4s Siri for mom bloggersI’m an Organized Mom & Blogger with the iPhone 4s

Since I got my iPhone 4s I have been able to organize not only my life, but my family and my blogging too. I thank Apple’s Siri entirely for this. With Siri, Apple’s voice activated personal assistant, I can change appointment times simply by speaking to Siri. I can also find addresses or even make reservations at my favorite restaurant all with a few simple voice commands. The best part of Siri is that I don’t have to use robotic commands for it to understand me, but rather I can almost carry on conversations with Siri. It is bad when I find myself talking to Siri because my kids no longer want to listen.

Siri on iPhone 4S lets you use your voice to send messages, schedule meetings, place phone calls, and more. Ask Siri to do things just by talking the way you talk. Siri understands what you say, knows what you mean, and even talks back. Siri is so easy to use and does so much, you’ll keep finding more and more ways to use it.

iPhone 4s increased speedI’m a Multitasking Mom & Blogger with the iPhone 4s

I love the fact that I am back in control of my life and able to manage my blog and my family at the same time. I am no longer ignoring one or the other. Perhaps more important than any of these is the fact that I am able to be flexible and take my blogging along on the road with me. I don’t mind sitting outside my daughter’s school waiting for her to get done with practice as I am able to do my research or reviews while sitting in the van. Do to the fact that the new iPhone 4s increased speed, I now can get a lot more done in a short time. It is sad how I no longer have the patience to “waste” 30 seconds while waiting for my kids to climb in the van, as now this is time to quick edit a blog I had just submitted. Life flies by at top speeds, I really needed a phone that could work as fast as I do. As a busy mom multitasking is a necessity and my iPhone 4s allows me the freedom and flexibility to do just that.

iPhone 4s camera for mom bloggersI’m a Photo Taking Pro with the iPhone 4s

One of my favorite features is the new camera as it makes my blog come to life. I am able to snap pictures of new products that I want to add to my blog, with a few simple swipes of my finger I can have it uploaded to my blog ready for my viewers in no time at all. I always have my iPhone 4s along so I can capture the memories as they are happening and don’t miss an opportunity to share my family’s adventures with my blogging family.

 

This is an anonymous guest post but reflects my opinions exactly!

Submit a guest post for consideration by emailing alicia @ themommyinsider.com.  Byline must be included in your email exactly as you would like for it to appear in your guest post.

Do you own an iPhone 4s? Are you a blogger? How has the iPhone 4s helped you or has it?  Please share your thoughts with us on the iPhone 4s and it’s contribution to your mom/blogging life in the comments below.  Thank you!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. I was not compensated in any way for this post.

Alicia Hagan, Editor

My Road Trip Survival Guide – How I Survived 8 Hour Road Trips Alone with Two Kids

New posts, Travel, , , , ,

My kids are 12 and 5 years old.  They love each other but aren’t the best of friends. I’m sure you understand if you have kids who are far apart in age.  My 12 year old hardly acknowledges that my 5 year old exists and when he does it’s often to correct her, poke at her, or ask her to do something for him.

Therefor, I was pretty nervous about driving the kids to Florida (from our home in Atlanta) alone as I’ve never driven the kids to Florida by myself before and I never know when they are going to be at each other’s throats. Well not really but you know what I mean.   My husband and parents didn’t want me to drive the kids by myself in case something happened with the car or the kids during the drive.  And me being the paranoid girl that I am, I think about the kids getting car sick (it’s happened before!), getting a flat tire, accidents, traffic, the rushed need for a restroom when there’s none around, etc and those thoughts usually consume me.  However, I didn’t let those thoughts consume me this time.  Mostly because I was consumed with the fact that my 5 year old and I had just gone to urgent care the day before our trip and I found out that I had a sinus infection requiring anti-biotics and steroids and she had something that required anti-biotics.  I was just hoping to get there and to feel better the next day.  Little did I know that 7 days later, I’d be fighting a different infection and working from bed.

Welcome to Florida

Here are a few things that I did to ensure that I and the kids had a fun, safe, happy, and successful 8 hour road trip to Florida and back last week:

Keep them Fed!

  • Packed lots of cups of water
  • Brought pre-portioned Snacks
  • Included fruits & veggies in their snack bags
  • Plastic plates and utensils

Keep things Fun!

  • Activity Tray for each child
  • DVD’s that they agreed on before hand
  • iPad – full charged with a few new apps installed
  • Blank paper to color and write on
  • Pencil box with crayons and colored pencils
  • Sticker books (for my 5 year old)
  • Nook Color (for my 12 year old)
  • Wireless headphones for kids

Keep the kids and car Clean!

  • Trash bag for each child to use
  • Paper towels
  • Tissues
  • Baby wipes
  • Hand towel for each child
  • Full size towel for each child (cover with while eating)
  • Toilet seat covers (a MUST for rest area and restaurant restrooms!)

Keep the kids Comfortable!

  • Pillow Pets
  • Sun Shades
  • Blankets
  • Dramamine (my daughter gets car sick)

 

Preparing for the trip:

A week before departure:

  • Had oil changed and tires rotated
  • I signed up for AAA
  • Made sure I had all necessary safety equipment and manuals in the car
  • Talked to my son about being responsible for his sister while I was driving and what that meant.  My son is a Boy Scout and prides himself on being able to handle many emergency situations (which he’s had to do in the past) so my family and I felt comfortable that he could help in the case of a flat tire or other minor vehicular emergency but I needed to make sure that he understood that I wouldn’t be able to stop when my daughter needed a drink, snack, or a toy and that he needed to help out with her while I was driving.
  • Bought sun shades for the kids windows
  • Bought activity trays for the kids to use during the trip

Two days before departure:

  • Pack clothes
  • Pack each child a bag with activities to do in the car
  • Washed and set out two cups for each of us to use during the trip
  • I chose and packed DVD’s for the kids to watch in the car
  • I downloaded podcasts (love Leo Laporte’s tech podcasts!) for me to listen to while the kids watched a movie (via their wireless headphones)
  • Pack medications
  • I packed a ‘throw up kit’ containing a tupperware bowl, extra clothes, and wipes.  My daughter gets car sick.

The night before departure:

  • Pack toiletries
  • Pack kid’s bedtime books
  • Put everything in the car
  • Programed our destination in my iPhone GPS app
  • Pack important daily medications
Morning of departure:
  • Put kid’s blankets and pillow pets in the car
  • I put a DVD in the player so I wouldn’t have to pull over to put one in
  • Filled one cup with ice and water for each of us
  • Filled the cooler with fruits, veggies, cheese strings, ice, and drinks
  • Packed chargers for phones, camera, and iPad

Off we went!

The trip started with a few games of I Spy and then we listened to some Kidz Bop.  The kids didn’t ask to watch a movie or play on the iPad for the first hour and half.. almost two hours.  Impressive for a road trip if you ask me.  To be hontest, I was just waiting for them to We stopped three times.  Twice at rest stops and once at a McDonalds.  I was bummed that I couldn’t find a Chick-Fil-A around lunchtime so next time I will plan our lunch stop before leaving the house.  My son slept on and off during the trip but my daughter who is not a fan of sleeping during road trips finally fell asleep about an hour from Orlando.  She played with her sticker books and watched quite a bit of Curious George but she was happy and I was able to drive safely and distraction free, getting us to our destination safely.

I hope my road trip survival guide helps you on your next road trip adventure whether you’re travelling alone or with a spouse with your kids.

Do you have any road trip tips to share with our readers?  Tell us in the comments below.

Alicia Hagan, Editor