Monthly Archives: October 2013

The Newly Redesigned 2014 Toyota Corolla, A Car With Wow Power!

Car Reviews, , , ,

Is looking for a new car something you’ve had on your mind for a while but haven’t decided on which vehicle you want to look at and learn more about first?  While finding the right vehicle can sometimes be a challenge, when you take time to check out the newly redesigned 2014 Toyota Corolla, you’ll be amazed at this car’s “Wow Power”! Wow Power is when a car impresses you on more than just looks alone and the Toyota Corolla has great looks and much more! Cool new features for the tech-savvy driver, a sleek, restyled design that appeals to the eye and the same Toyota reliability that’s been a favorite among buyers for many years adds to the allure of this contemporary and affordable car.

2014 Corolla Safety with 8 Airbags

My review of the new Corolla found the addition of several great safety features, including 8 airbags that come standard on all 2014 Corolla models which include:

  • driver and front passenger airbags
  • driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags
  • driver knee airbag
  • passenger seat-cushion airbags
  • and front and rear side curtain airbags.

These, along with the three-point seat belts for every passenger make the 2014 Corolla one of the safest vehicles around. Sure, no one plans to be in an accident, but even the most seasoned driver on a familiar commute may still contend with the traffic becoming faster and heavier. Even with the convenient 60/40 rear seat split, no matter which seat you’re occupying, you can be reassured that you will be as protected as possible.

2014 Toyota Corolla review

The Corolla has a beautiful interior as well and you’ll be sure to notice the aerodynamic dashboard with sleek, fluid lines.   I can almost guarantee that when you get in the Corolla for the first time, your hand will involuntarily caress the dashboard as if you are touching a $1500 handbag you’ve saved for for years.

2014 Corolla Backup Camera

The addition of the backup camera which comes standard on all 2014 Corolla models with the exception of the Corolla L, is a superb touch. How is this a benefit to you? The touch-screen on the control panel gives you not only a view of the area behind your car, but also peace of mind that when backing up there is nothing in your path.   You never know what prompts a child to run behind a car and the addition of backup cameras in a vehicle can be a life saver.  Additionally, the camera also assists in parallel parking, making it easier to see the curb and vehicles in front or behind you. Tight spot to park? No problem now.

Inside the 2014 Toyota Corolla

Now, let’s take a tour of the other features inside the Corolla that make driving this car an immensely satisfying experience. Available only on the LE, LE Eco, and S Models, the ENTUNE Multimedia Bundle combines everything you love about technology and takes it on the road with you. The touch-screen features a 6-inch display and the AM/FM CD player and six speakers gives you an excellent surround-sound quality. There’s also an auxiliary audio jack for headphones, a USB port, and iPod® connectivity. With the advanced voice recognition and hands-free phone capability, you can dial, talk and control your phone effortlessly. The music streaming via Bluetooth® technology adds to the appeal of this intriguing and sporty vehicle.

2014 Toyota Corolla review

Under the Hood

Under the hood, the Toyota Corolla offers two engine options and three transmission choices in the four differing models ranging from a six-speed manual shift to the classic four-speed automatic. I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention the impressive gas mileage this car can get with an EPA estimated 42 miles per gallon on the highway. In short, the newly redesigned 2014 Toyota Corolla has everything you could want and more. It’s the ideal vehicle for everyone from long-distance commuters to budget-minded college students. It definitely has Wow-Power!

Cost:

MSRP 

  • L  – $16,800
  • LE – $18,300
  • LE Eco –  $18,700
  • S – $19,000

Explore, Build, or Test Drive a Toyota Corolla Today!

Thank you to photographer Ernesto Roman for providing a few of the photographs above.

Toyota flew me to Miami Florida to learn about and test drive the 2014 Toyota Corolla.  They provided accommodations at the gorgeous Viceroy Miami hotel which I will tell you about in another post so stay tuned.  All opinions are my own.

Want to read more about the 2014 Toyota Corolla?

I had a blast hanging out with Zippy from Champagne Living during this trip, who also provided a review of the Corolla on her blog.

 

Alicia, The Mommy Insider blog author

Cleaning Up After Kids with BISSELL PowerGlide Vacuums with Lift Off Technology + BISSELL Promo Code

Cleaning & Cleaners

This post brought to you by BISSELL Homecare, Inc.. All opinions are 100% mine.

School is back in session and so are sports.  What does that have to do with vacuuming you ask?

EVERYTHING!

It never fails that as soon as we get home from lacrosse or soccer, along with the sports equipment, dirt and grass get dragged into the house.  It would be very smart of me to hold off on vacuuming until after sports but being the way I am, whenever I see a leaf or dirt on the carpet I immediately vacuum it up.  I can’t stand seeing gunk on the floor.  That goes for my car too. I keep meaning to get a handheld vacuum just to keep in the car but I always forget.  One of these days.

Here are the steps we take when after sports games or practices these days to help combat big messes.. or so I thought:

  1. Wipe off soccer ball, lacrosse stick, self, gear bag, etc… before we get in the car after practice or game
  2. Take shoes off in the car and put them in a bag
  3. Here’s where trouble happens.. my daughter forgets that she wiped her ball off and kicks it from the car to the house getting the soccer ball and her socks dirty
  4. and.. my son just HAS to bounce and pick up the lacrosse ball with the lacrosse stick a few times before making it to the front door.
  5. This leads to grass and dirt STILL getting in the house

BUT.. I’ve learned..

to have my 14-year-old vacuum the messes.. right away!  Yes!! I’m finally figuring this whole parenting thing out.

The BISSELL PowerGlide with Lift-Off Technology makes it easy for parents to quickly and practically effortlessly clean up messes left behind by kids and pets.  This vacuum is powerful, yet lightweight enough to quickly tackle all sorts of messes.  We have two flights of stairs in our home and because I’m so darn smart, 🙂 I came up with the bright idea of having a full size vacuum on both levels of the house.  But.. when one of the vacuums went kaput I had to get the other vacuum up the stairs and I was not thrilled about that.  Which vacuum was left?  Our 20 pound vacuum, that’s which one!  Where many vacuums are around 20 pounds these days because of all of the powerful features, most of the BISSELL vacuums are right around 16 pounds.

BISSELL PowerGlide Vacuum with Lift Off Technology Key Features:

  • No loss of suction
  • One-step removable pod for portable cleaning (love this!)
  • Long-stretch hose (great for cleaning steps and ceiling fans)
  • Swivel steering for easy maneuverability
  • Adjustable handle for easy use and storage
  • 12-inch foot for stability
  • Large capacity dirt cup
  • 27-foot cord (wow!)
  • Included TurboBrush and crevice tool (perfect for car cleaning)

Do you use your vacuum to..

  • clean out kitchen cabinets once every few months?
  • get the dust off your vents?
  • clean your computer keyboards?
  • get the crumbs from under the stove and refrigerator?

Vacuums with crevice attachments and powerful suction like the BISSELL PowerGlide vacuums can help with these daunting tasks that really should be done at least once a month.

Did I miss any odd and end uses?

Check out the BISSELL cleaning tips and enter to win their sweepstakes on Facebook.  To enter to win a BISSELL PowerGlide with Lift-Off Technology vacuum, all you need to do is share a photograph of a spectacular mess that only a vacuum can tackle.  If your house is like my house, that will be a cinch!

BISSELL Promo Code!

Use the promo code POWERGLIDE through 11/30/2013 to get $20 off plus free shipping on the following products:

  • PowerGlide Pet Vacuum with Lift-Off Technology
  • PowerGlide Pet Bagged Rewind Vacuum
  • PowerGlide Pet Vacuum

Alicia, The Mommy Insider blog author

Visit Sponsor's Site

Girl’s Fashion Guide: 4 Glittery Headbands on Etsy

Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Age 7-10, Ages 10-13, Etsy, ,

I love Etsy.  I find the most unique, fun, and inspiring things there.  Most of the time I go to Etsy to browse midnlessly but today after getting a request from my daughter to get her a glittery headband I went straight to Etsy.com to find some!

I was not disappointed!

I found the cutest headbands, some that I would even consider wearing when/if my hair is long again. Hair accessories are something that every little girl seems to collect and actually use, unlike pencil toppers.. that’s another story, so I don’t mind her having an abundance of them. 🙂

Here are a few of my daughter’s favorite glittery headbands on Etsy:

(These items are available now – today – but due to the nature of Etsy, they may not be available long)

Glitter headbands on Etsy

1 – Wide Glitter Headband – $10
Photo source: 

2 – Non-Slip Thin Glitter/Sparkle Headband lined with Velvet – $5.25
Photo source: 

3 – Glitter headbands – 3 for $7.50
Photo source: 

4 – Red Glitter Headband – $20
Photo source: 

Is your daughter into glittery things?  Have you found a super cute headband online?  Share with us in the comments below!

Little Girl Fashion Guide: 4 Adorable Ballet Flats for Little Girls

Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Age 7-10, Fashion & Style, Style Guide, , , ,

Gone are the days when little girls run around in ‘play shoes’ all day, every day. Now little girls, at least mine, want to wear cute shoes whenever they can.  My daughter plays dress up and when some girls might want to wear mom’s high heels, my daughter is perfectly happy in a pair of sparkly ballet flats.

Here are a few of my daughter’s favorite ballet flats.. as of today. 🙂

Little Girl Ballet Flats

1 – OLD SOLES Kids’ Cruise Ballet Shoes (Powder Pink) at Shoes.com – $60

2 – Lelli Kelly Kids’ Fiocco Fluo Shoes (Orange) at Shoes.com – $40

3 – Cole Haan Kids’ Air Tali Buckle  Shoes (Black) at Shoes.com – $64

4 – Sam Edelman Kids’ Fiona (Silver Glitter) at Shoes.com – $50

Does your daughter have a favorite shoe style?

Alicia, The Mommy Insider blog author

Today Only! Win a Family Vacation for 4 to the Disneyland Resort for the October 26th opening of Thor: Treasures of Asgard

Contests, Disney, , ,

We have exciting news for you!  For the next 24 hours only (9:00am PST, Thursday 10/10, until 8:59am PST Friday morning, 10/11), fans in the US and Canada have the chance to win one of two family vacations for 4 to the Disneyland Resort for the October 26th opening of Thor: Treasures of Asgard, the brand new experience coming to Disneyland!

In addition to being one of the first people to see the experience, winners will also get 4-Day Park Tickets!

All you have to do to enter is visit the THOR page on Facebook and answer the following question in the comments of the sweeps post:

Who would you travel with if you had the chance to go to Asgard:  #Thor or #Loki?

Full rules and details can be viewed on the THOR Facebook page.

THOR, The Dark World

Like THOR on Facebook: Facebook.com/Thor

Follow THOR on Twitter: Twitter.com/ThorMovies

Visit the website: www.marvel.com/thor

Marvel’s “Thor: The Dark World” continues the big-screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that predates the universe itself.  In the aftermath of Marvel’s “Thor” and “Marvel’s The Avengers,” Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos…but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. To defeat an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor sets upon his most dangerous and personal journey yet, forced into an alliance with the treacherous Loki to save not only his people and those he loves…but our universe itself.

Starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba, Christopher Eccleston, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, Tadanobu Asano and Jaimie Alexander with Rene Russo and Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Marvel’s “Thor: The Dark World” is directed by Alan Taylor, produced by Kevin Feige, p.g.a., from a story by Don Payne and Robert Rodat and screenplay by Christopher L. Yost and Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely, and is based on Marvel’s classic Super Hero Thor, who first appeared in the comic book “Journey into Mystery “ #83 in August, 1962.

“Thor: The Dark World” is presented by Marvel Studios. The executive producers are Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Craig Kyle, Alan Fine, Nigel Gostelow and Stan Lee. The film releases November 8, 2013, and is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Good luck!

Alicia, The Mommy Insider blog author

 

 

 

 

 

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