Monthly Archives: April 2014

Get Confidently Clean Floors With BISSELL Symphony All in One Vacuum and Steam Mop Available at Best Buy

April 21, 2014Cleaning & CleanersBISSELL, cleaningAlicia

BISSELL Symphony All in One Vacuum and Steam Mop at Best Buy
I spend hours vacuuming every week. Between the kids tracking dirt in the house when they come inside from playing and dropping and stepping on snacks, it’s like a never ending cycle of vacuuming around here. Luckily I have a 14 year old who knows how to vacuum but I still hate how much time out of the day is spent vacuuming. Oh, and to top it off, now that we have a puppy, I spend more time cleaning floors than ever!
We have hardwood floors in our kitchen, foyer, and dining room. These rooms happen to be where we hang out most and “we” includes the dog. Given that, I was so thrilled to get to check out the BISSELL Symphony All in One Vacuum and Steam Mop (available at Best Buy). Not only did I save time by vacuuming and steaming our hard floors at the same time, but I felt good about not having to use harsh chemicals on the floors where the new puppy sleeps and plays.

The Powerful Cyclonic Action vacuum cleans away fine and large debris from tiny crumbs to some pet hair. I wouldn’t advise on using it as your only vacuum if you have a pet though. Not because it doesn’t suck the pet hair up well but because it is not meant to be a pet hair vacuum. Something else I love about this vacuum is that I can steam the floor or I can steam and vacuum at the same time! Talk about a time saver! This is not a wimpy steamer either. The BISSELL Symphony puts out great steam.

As you might know if you are a regular reader, I have issues with my neck and back. Bending is not the most comfortable thing for me to do these days and using the BISSELL Symphony All in One Vacuum and Steam Mop has done wonders for my neck and back since I don’t have to bend down to use the dustpan anymore. I use this vacuum in the bathrooms also. I LOVE knowing that the floors are getting sanitized with steam, using just water to eliminate 99.9% of germs and bacteria! I wear socks even in my own bathroom because I can’t stand the idea of what germs are in there but I feel better about not wearing socks for a couple of days after using the BISSELL Symphony All in One Vacuum and Steam Mop.

The BISSELL Symphony All in One Vacuum and Steam Mop takes about 30 seconds to heat up. Once the indicator light is on you can begin steaming. I noticed that on my first use of the Bissell Symphony, there was a slight delay. The water just needed to flow through the heater. I learned that the delay typically only happens with the first use or when a new filter has been placed in it.

Power through tough spots with two Microban mop pads to choose from—one soft, one for scrubbing. Microfiber mop pads are infused with Microban antimicrobial protection to help fight odor-causing bacteria. To sanitize your floor, including sealed wood floors, by killing germs such as E. coli and salmonella, hold the mop in place for 15-20 seconds.

Can it vacuum and steam at the same time?

Yes! It’s all thanks to an innovative design that utilizes a powerful cyclonic action vacuum to pick up small to large, dry debris off the floor before it comes into contact with our specially designed steam foot. Steam then cuts through grease and grime to clean sticky, stuck-on messes. It wasn’t easy, but that’s why it’s the only product on the market that can vacuum and steam at the same time.

What’s in the box:

1 Bissell Symphony™ All in One Vacuum and Steam Mop
4 Microfiber mop pads (2 soft, 2 scrubby)
1 Water Filter
1 Water Cup

Where to buy and coupon!

You can purchase a Bissell Symphony™ All in One Vacuum and Steam Mop at Best Buy and be sure to take advantage of the Free Mop Pads with Purchase of Bissell Symphony offer! When you buy a Bissell Symphony through May 3, 2014, you will receive a FREE pack of mop pads using online code BISSELLSYMPHONY.
This offer is valid online only.

2014 Toyota Highlander: A Quiet and Powerful Family SUV

April 14, 2014Car ReviewsCar Review, SUV, Toyota HighlanderAlicia

MSRP: Starting at $27,650
ESTIMATED MPG: 19 City / 25 HWY

You’ve probably seen the commercials for the new 2014 Toyota Highlander. The one where the Muppets burst into a house of bored family members one of which is looking up Old Faithful on his tablet. “If you wanna see Old Faithful don’t be such a couch potato” the Muppets say. “Yea just go check out the thing for yourself. We ain’t got no room for boring.”, sing the Muppets. The family and the Muppets visit Old Faithful. That’s the way to do it; why just look amazing places up on your tablet when you hop in the car and drive there?

The 2014 Toyota Highlander is the 3rd generation of Highlander and it has been redesigned with bold new exterior styling, family friendly features and the latest in advanced safety and audio technology. All of this while still maintaining it’s Toyota DNA of quality, durability and reliability. The Highlander is available in front-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations, with a choice of six trim levels: LE (FWD only), LE V6, LE Plus V6, XLE V6, Limited V6 and Limited Platinum V6. The LE is powered by a 185-hp 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine, while all other trims get the 270-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine. The Highlander ranges in price from $29,000 to about $47,000.

Before I go into detail about the 2014 Toyota Highlander, let me tell you about some of the features I look for in a vehicle and why.

I am a mother of two. I have a 14 year old son and a 7 year old daughter.
My son plays Lacrosse which requires transporting his very large Lacrosse stick and other (smelly) equipment to and from practices and games therefore I need ample trunk/cargo storage space.
My 7-year-old likes to have playdates and I want to have enough seating for everyone to sit comfortably and safely in my vehicle so I look for ample (4+ seats) and easy access seating.
My kids and I drink a ton of water so I need at least one cup holder per passenger if not more. During road trips I switch between water and Diet Coke. You know how that is.
I like to be cold but my kids and husband would be happy to stay in the desert for a few days so I appreciate dual and/or 3 zone climate control.
I have back issues from a car accident and use my heated seat 90% of the time I’m in the car, even in the summer so having heated seats is very important to me.
I drive a lot of short distances (to and from sports, etc) and don’t want to fill up my tank every few days which is where good city driving mileage comes in.
Back to having two kids…before I had a vehicle with a backup camera, it took about 10 minutes for me to back out of my driveway. Not exactly 10 minutes but longer than now. I couldn’t help but wonder if one of the kids had run out to tell me goodbye again. A backup camera is a must!
I am short; 5’1″ to be exact. Being short makes it difficult for me to see further than the hood of some vehicles like my husband’s Ford Mustang (hello phonebook seating). I look for highly adjustable seats and when the seats are programmable that is even better.
Last but not least, my kids are kids. They enjoy watching a movie during road trips and I enjoy the peace and quiet I get when they watch a movie with their wireless headphones. A DVD entertainment system is very nice and helpful to have.

Now that you know the story of my life and what I look for in a vehicle, let’s move on to my experience with the 2014 Toyota Highlander.

For purposes of this review I am going to focus on my favorite Highlander model, the Limited. The Limited is just above the mid-range model, the XLE, priced at $36,040. For purposes of this review, I test-drove the Highlander Limited for one week which starts at $39,640 and is the only model below in cost to the Hybrid model.

If you have young children, they probably spend quite a bit of time in the car. Between appointments, playdates, daycare or school, and family outings, it may even seem like your family lives in the car sometimes. To make that time enjoyable, safe, and affordable, consider getting a vehicle like the 2014 Toyota Highlander.

Highlander Safety

There are a myriad of safety features on the Highlander, like the Star Safety System that has six different ways to keep you from crashing, ventilated disk brakes, backup camera, blind spot monitor, advanced airbag system, child safety seat restraints, and automatic tire pressure monitor. You’re less likely to crash driving a Highlander, but if you do crash, you’re more likely to remain uninjured.

Highlander Comfort

As far as seating goes, it’s always better to go with too many seats than too few. You never know when friends or extended family will want to take a road trip. This vehicle can seat up to eight people, and to add to the spacious comfort, the back seats recline for napping. The Limited model seats 7, with the middle row being two captain chairs.

Highlander Engine and MPG

For an eight-passenger vehicle, it also gets good gas mileage. At 19 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway, it’s an affordable way to transport your kids or a whole group. It also has a pretty big engine – it can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Highlander Entertainment

One of the best things about the Highlander is that both kids and adults will be entertained. With the touch screen in the front, you can listen to music, buy movie tickets, and look at different dining options. There’s also an option to put a DVD system in for the kids.

Highlander Price

The 2014 Toyota Highlander is a top-notch vehicle and may seem expensive at first glance, but if you can swing it, it’s worth every penny. If you add on many features, it could cost you over $40,000, but starting at just under $30,000, it can actually cost around the average price of a new vehicle.

My favorite features of the 2014 Toyota Highlander include:

Seating for 7 to 8 passengers
In-dash shelf built into the dashboard – great for keys, phones, wallet
Oversized center console that is big enough to fit a purse or diaper bag
Backup camera (I can’t do without one of these since having one)
Second and third row air vents
Panoramic Moonroof
SiriusXM w/NavTraffic satellite radio
Entune Audio Systems which include hands-free Bluetooth streaming technology and advanced voice recognition
Lane Departure Alert (love this added safety feature!)
6.1 inch standard touchscreen
Three zone climate control
Tilt and telescopic steering wheel – great for shorties like me!
Universal remote transmitter (for garage doors)
Heated and ventilated front seats
8 inch ground clearance; great for people like me who like to feel higher up than I do in a sedan which has an average ground clearance of 5-6 inches. The ground clearance on the Highlander is about an higher than the average minivan.

I took the Highlander for a drive on some twisty and bumpy roads to see how it would perform and was impressed with the smooth handling and stable steering during those drives. The 248 lbs.-feet of torque and 270 horsepower surely contributed to the Highlander’s speedy 0-60 acceleration of just under 8 seconds. Just as impressive was the quiet cabin during any type of ride whether on the highway, bumpy roads or to soccer practice on local roads. This is something I appreciate as a parent. I appreciate being able to hear what my child sitting in the 3rd row is saying to me without having to use a walkie-talkie.

Choosing a vehicle is a big decision, perhaps only second to buying a house. This means you will want to thoroughly research any vehicle before making a decision. By choosing the 2014 Toyota Highlander, you can rest assure that you are driving your family in a vehicle that is safe, comfortable, and gets good gas mileage.

Find a Toyota dealership near you and take the Highlander for a spin with your family. It just might be the perfect SUV for your family!

What do you think about the Toyota Highlander?

I was provided with a 2014 Toyota Highlander Limited for one week to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

‘It’s a Small World’ 50th Anniversary! Watch People Around The World Sing, Create a Doll, & Record Yourself Singing!

April 10, 2014Entertainmentdisney, It's A Small WorldAlicia

It's a Small World 50th Anniversary

What’s your favorite ride at Disney World? Chances are It’s A Small World is at the top of your list. It’s #1 on my list.

The vibrant colors and beautiful scenery riders see during their journey through It’s A Small World stick with you.

The repetition of the song is just what a small child needs to engrain something in their memory forever and the ‘It’s a Small World’ ride does just that. What’s so great is that the song is sung is so many different languages. I still feel so happy on that ride and hope my kids will feel the same when they are my age. The song really plants and possibly ingrains in a child’s mind that our world really is a small one and that is something to appreciate.

Go to SmallWorld50.com today to be part of the song’s 50th anniversary by participating in a life Google Hangout with Richard Sherman, who co-authored the song with his brother in the 1950’s.

On SmallWorld50.com you can

Create your own It’s a Small World doll in a matter of seconds and Disney will donate $1 to UNICEF for every doll created, up to $100,000!
Record yourself singing It’s A Small World! Get your kids in on the action too!
Watch Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Sherri Shepherd, and Jenny McCarthy sing It’s A Small World on The View!

Here is the doll I created

Screen Shot 2014-04-10 at 9.35.10 AM

Do you have memories of riding It’s a Small World as a child?

My 3 Week Meditation Challenge + See What I Worry About & Tell Me What You Worry About..It’ll Be Fun!

April 9, 2014Health, Not A Perfect Parent SeriesAveeno, meditate, stressAlicia

This post is part of my Not a Perfect Parent Series.

You might have seen on my Facebook page that I have partnered with Aveeno to participate in the #AveenoDailyChallenge for the next three weeks. I was given the option of eating healthier, staying better hydrated, or de-stressing/meditating.

Despite the fact that I don’t really enjoy vegetables, I think I eat pretty healthy so I didn’t opt for the ‘eating healthier’ challenge.

I already drink a TON of water everyday so I didn’t opt for the ‘staying better hydrated’ challenge either.

What I was left with and what I really want to work on is de-stressing/meditation.

I think one reason I may get very stressed, besides just from being a parent, is that I don’t get a lot of sleep. I started experiencing a lack of getting tired when I started going through menopause about 6 years ago. I have since been diagnosed with insomnia and it is very difficult for me to fall asleep and to stay asleep. I don’t lay in bed and think about things like bills or what’s on the schedule for tomorrow, it’s just that I don’t feel tired. I mean, I FEEL tired and I just don’t want to think anymore, but my body doesn’t want to go to sleep. In hopes of naturally conquering the insomnia, I’ve revised my bedtime routine to include white noise, listening to soothing music (the Spa channel on Sirius XM is great!), reading, a warm bath, sometimes I’ll exercise close to bedtime to see if that makes me feel tired, but none of these things lull me to sleep. I just don’t get sleepy tired. BUT my mind is exhausted and I’m useless by about 3am. I either take something to help me sleep or I don’t sleep.

Does this sound familiar to you?

The upsides of not sleeping are that I get a lot done at night and as strange as it sounds I usually don’t feel tired for the next day even if I didn’t sleep. It’s an interesting phenomenon really. This has been happening for six years and you would very seldom see me yawn or complain about being tired. Mentally tired, maybe but not sleepy tired. I’m not one who looks forward to going to sleep and have often thought that sleep in a waste of time. Since learning how important getting a good night’s sleep is though, I am trying very hard to change my thoughts on sleep being a waste of time.

The point is.. I hope that by practicing meditation, which I am doing as part of Aveeno’s #AveenoDailyChallenge program, my body will relax enough so that I can fall asleep naturally and be generally less stressed.

I can’t help but think that my stress level plays a part in my insomnia. How can my mind and body relax when I’m so stressed even if I don’t feel stressed once I’m in bed?

I am the first to admit that I get stressed and worry, a lot. This is not something I am proud of or think is because I have a more difficult life than other parents. I never intended on being a mom who was on the go all of the time. I didn’t want to be busy busy busy. BUT, I have to allow my kids to participate in at least once after-school activity/sport each. It happens to work out so that my son participates in two things which between the two take place on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and my daughter does two things which between the two, have her doing something after school every Monday, Wednesday and then on Saturday. That leaves us with Friday to catch up on life, chores, play, and general family hangout time.

Then there are times when I get upset with myself for allowing myself to get stressed and worried when I have kids who are so happy and great!

kidscollage

Here are a few things I worry about

I worry about the kids getting hurt doing everyday things like going up and down stairs or walking outside without shoes on
I worry if I am going to have a nightmare that night
I worry about what’s on the schedule for the next day
I worry about how I am going to get both kids to their sports games that are at the same time on Saturday but two different places an hour away from each other
I worry about if the puppy eating enough
I worry about if there is laundry piling up in the laundry room
Did the dishwasher get emptied so dinner dishes can be put right in or are the dishes going to stack up?
Will my daughter be up too late on a school night because of my son’s lacrosse practice?
Is my daughter’s sniffle going to turn into a sinus infection?
Why does my son’s room look like a clothing store vomited it’s merchandise onto his floor and bed?
When is the right time to have him clean his room.. it seems like we’re gone all of the time.
Am I giving my daughter and son enough individual attention?
Am I paying enough attention to their homework and studies?
..The list goes on.