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100 Years of Innovations #WhirlpoolMoms

November 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

As a Whirlpool Mom, I have had the luxury of testing out the Duet washer and drier set for the last three months.  Looking back over the past 90 days, I can hardly remember life without it!  Laundry has never been easier…..for any generation.  Did you know Whirlpool is celebrating it’s 100th anniversary?

Laundry has come a LONG way!

In 1911, Whirlpool introduced it’s very first electric wringer, which I am sure was a modern marvel at the time (but looks like some sort of torture device to me!).  But now in 2011, the Whirlpool Duet houses many of the latest innovations.  So, in my last Whirlpool Moms post, I wanted to recap a few of my favorites:

  • Precision Dispense: Simply fill the reservoir with laundry detergent and forget about it!  The Duet dispenses the correct amount with each load…up to 36 loads!
  • Sanitize: With one daughter in preschool, I love being able to sanitize her nap mat to kill all those yucky toddler germs.
  • Lights: I absolutely love that the drum of the washer and drier is lit making finding those pesky matching socks much easier.
  • Specialty Cycles: The pre-programmed “apps” on my Duet take the guesswork out of laundry.  I don’t have to think twice about what is the best temperature or spin speed for towels, jeans or intimates.
  • Storage Pedestals: The drawers beneath the washer and dryer allow me to store my detergent and accessories freeing up space in my cramped laundry room.
  • Reminders: The Duet Washer reminds me when it needs to be cleaned and even chimes when a load is complete!

My final thoughts on my Whirlpool Duet pair are nothing but positive.  I have been pleased with its performance and ease of use.  While the buttons can be quite intimidating (my Mother in Law doesn’t want to touch it!), once you learn your way around, the features make life so much easier.  Dare I say….I like laundry?!?

I wrote this review while participating in a test-drive campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Whirlpool and received a complimentary Whirlpool Duet washer and dryer to facilitate my review.
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How My #WhirlpoolMoms Duet Washer Keeps Me Sane

October 28, 2011 By 5 Comments

With each passing day, my memory seems to get worse.  I don’t know if it’s the two kids, the full time job, the blog, the conference, or just my age but I swear I would forget my own name if I didn’t have a nametag on at work all day!  I live by Post-It notes.  Some days, my house looks like I re-wallpapered in yellow sticky notes so I can appear put together and remember at least 95% of my responsibilities. 

Fortunately, there are a few things that keep me sane….my family, my friends, and my Whirlpool Duet Washer and Dryer.  I have so many things to remember in a day (kids’ lunch money, homework, dance schedules, meetings, etc.) that the last thing I want to think about is my laundry.  My Whirlpool Duet has made laundry effortless and painless!  Here are a few ways that my Whirlpool Duet Set keeps me sane:

a.  Got stains?  No problem!  The Whirlpool Duet has many cycle options to get out even the toughest stain.  In fact, the washer even gives you advice on how to get out those unsightly stains….each option will explain exactly why you should use that cycle.  I don’t have to remember a thing!

b.  One of my fears about owning my first front load washer was the rumor that they can build up quite the foul smell.  The last thing I wanted was for my washer to stink!  Fortunately, Affresh keeps the smells at bay.  Simply pop in a tablet and run a “clean washer” cycle.  Easy. 

c.  Because one of my daughters is in PreK, she takes naps on a cloth napmat kept at school.  Once a month, the napmat comes home for cleaning and in the past 30 days we have received notices about both lice and stomach flu going around her classroom.  Fabulous.  I popped the napmat in the allergen cycle and selected the handy “sanitize” option confident that we would get that napmat clean!  No lice for this mama!

d.  The Whirlpool Duet Washer is not only pretty but smart, too!  It tells me with both a written notice and an audible reminder that it is time to clean my machine which is great for this forgetful Mom. 

I have owned the Whirlpool Duet set for about 2 months now and can honestly say that I have found nothing that I don’t love.  I am getting laundry done in a record amount of time and the set is just incredibly easy to use.  I hereby declare my Whirlpool a “yellow sticky note free zone!”

I wrote this review while participating in a test-drive campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Whirlpool and received a complimentary Whirlpool Duet washer and dryer to facilitate my review. All opinions are 100% mine.
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Aloha from Old London: Review

April 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

With Summer right around the corner and my blogging conference being held at an indoor waterpark in just a few weeks, I am trying like crazy to loose a few pounds before slipping into a swimsuit.  Unfortunately, my passion for french fries threatens to derail my efforts.  But honestly, what I love about those french fries is the crunch and the salt so I just need to find another way to satisfy the craving.

Enter Old London Snacks.  Recently, I was sent two boxes of snacks, the Melba Toast Sea Salt and the Bagel Chips in Spicy Cheddar.  I had actually never reached for these in the grocery store mainly because I had no idea what to eat with them or if they could stand on their own.  After checking out the Old London recipes available online, I found that the snacks were actually quite versatile (did you know you could make Lasagna with them?).

I tried the Melba Toast Sea Salt snacks first.  I liked the crunch, but the flavor was nothing to write home about.  However, I spread some Skinny Cow Garlic and Herb cheese on them and was in heaven! YUM!  This made a great satisfying snack for little calories.  Next, I was up for some Spicy Cheddar.  At first, I thought, “For a New Orleanian, these sure aren’t very spicy.” But as soon as I bit into my second Bagel Chip, the spice kicked in!  These chips can certainly stand on their own and do not require a dip of any kind to create a tasty and satisfying snack.

While you are trying all of the Old London varieties, make sure you head over to their Facebook page and enter the Aloha Old London Sweepstakes through June 30, 2011.  From the website:

“Old London will send one lucky winner and a guest on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation to the energizing island of Oahu in the Hawaiian islands. While soaking up the beautiful Hawaiian sunshine, experience everything this tropical paradise has to offer with dinner for two at Tropics Bar & Grill at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa, one Hawaiian Lomilomi Massage at Mandara Spa at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa, a private cooking lesson at the award-winning Chef Mavro restaurant, two Alii Luau packages at the Polynesian Cultural Center, and surfing lessons at world famous Waikiki Beach. The four-day, three-night, all-expenses-paid experience also includes air travel and accom-modations at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa in Waikiki.”

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Old London and received product samples and a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.
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Take “Small Steps to a Better You” with Dannon and Win Groceries for a YEAR!

February 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

At the start of the year, I joined Weight Watchers to get rid of a few extra pounds that just don’t belong on my body.  Since then, I have really become aware of the benefits of the food I place in my mouth.  Is the food really worth it for the satisfaction level I gain from the meal?  I have been focusing on “power foods” or foods that provide a sense of being full.  Gone are the empty calories of high sugar foods!  This is one way that I am taking small steps to a better, healthier me in 2011!

Want to join me?  From January 23 – February 28, Dannon encourages you to live a healthier lifestyle with their “Small Steps to a Better You” program, while giving you the chance to win free groceries for a week, month or even a year! By entering the UPC code found under the barcode of any Dannon product you have four daily chances to win instantly.  Get healthy AND win free groceries…it’s a win/win situation! The prizes include:

  • Three (3) Grand Prizes: free groceries for a year, valued at $7,800.
  • Fifty (50) First Prizes: free groceries for a month, valued at $550.
  • One hundred (100) Second Prizes: will win free groceries for a week, valued at $150.

Get Healthy, Get Groceries!  There are so many Dannon products to choose from this step on your journey is completely easy!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Dannon and received a coupon and gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.
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VERIPUR Hand Sanitizer Moisturizer: Review

February 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

New Orleans is know for quite a few things:  music, Mardi Gras, and incredible food to name a few.  But, we are also known for our heat and humidity which makes this winter almost unbearable for me and my skin.  The cold temperatures and dry weather has wreaked havoc on my hands depriving them of all moisture.  Add to this the fact that I am using hand sanitizer to avoid the cold and flu season, and you have some pretty messed up hands!

My skin is crying for help, so I was anxious to try Veripur, the hand sanitizer and moisturizer in one.  Available exclusively at Walgreens, “VERIPUR™ is a non-drying, alcohol-free hand sanitizer that kills 99.9% of germs on contact and continues to protect your hands for up to four hours after application. Plus, moisturizing vitamin E, avocado, jojoba, grape seed oils and natural extracts prevent the dryness often associated with alcohol-based hand sanitizers.”

I have been using Veripur for about a week now.  The tube is small enough to fit in my purse so it is available wherever I go.  Because Veripur is alcohol free, I love that you don’t get an overwhelming smell when applied.  In fact, you can get it completely unscented or in a lightly fresh scent.  The moisturizers have definitely improved the condition of my hands and I love that my skin is protected against germs well after application.  I will definitely grab for the Veripur over my regular hand sanitizer especially during these brutal winter months!

Want to try it for yourself?  Head to your local Walgreens and pick up a 3 fl. oz tube for the suggested retail price of $5.99 or in a 13 fl. oz pump bottle for $10.99!

“I wrote this review while participating in a Mom Central Consulting blog tour on behalf of Veripur Hand Sanitizer Moisturizer. I received a Veripur product sample and a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”
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Time Saving Tips from Bank of America {$50 Giveaway}

December 18, 2010 By

I absolutely love the holiday season, but no matter how much I seem to plan in advance, I always seem to be rushing around and running out of time.  Any time saving tips can be a life saver!  Recently, my business partner Cecelia and I formed an official LLC and opened a bank account.  We chose to begin our business with Bank of America for many reasons, but the most important factor was convenience.  Because we live in two different states, we needed a bank that would make it easy for us to do our business.

One of the ways that Bank of America saves us time is by providing online banking.  We can easily transfer money, check our balance and set up alerts from the convenience of our computer which is great since we live so far away.  We also love the Bank on the Go feature which allows us to bank straight from an iPhone or iPad.  Just download the app and easily locate ATMs nearby, check balances and pay bills.  You can even get a text message stating your balance instantly!

Recently, Bank of Amercia set up a Twitter Handle (@BofA_Tips) which sends out great time saving tips throughout the day.  Here are a few I loved from this week:

What are some ways you save time over the holidays?  Have you thought of hosting a wrapping party at your house? Have each guest come with a roll of wrapping paper, chat, eat and WRAP!  Or coordinate a playdate exchange!  Have a friend watch your kids and get some shopping done!  On another day, return the favor!  If you are looking for even more holiday time saving tips, check out Bank of America Solutions!

GIVEAWAY

In order to make this holiday season even easier for one of my readers, I will be giving away a pre-loaded $50 Bank of America card!

How to enter:

1. Tell me some ways you get back time during the busy holiday season?

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @BofA_Tips on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog on Facebook.

5. Place my blog banner on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on December 27th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Bank of America and received a Bank of America preloaded gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate. This contest is hosted and fulfilled solely by Experimental Mommy.”
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Soma Intimates Personality PJs: Review

December 11, 2010 By 1 Comment

After working a long day in the lab, I love to come home and put on a pair of my most comfy PJs in order to relax.  But, truth be told, they rarely (if ever) match and if I’m lucky they don’t have holes in them.  I wear my jammies on a regular basis and they definitely are showing their age. So, I was thrilled to be accepted in to the Mom Central Soma Intimates Personality PJs campaign.

With the Soma Intimates Personality PJs, you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for style!  These jammies come in incredibly soft jersey and stain fabrics and can be purchased in sizes XS-XL.  By taking the Personality Quiz, you will be matched with a pair of jammies that suit you to a tee. I was not surprised to be matched to the “romantic” PJs after I took the quiz myself.  I received a light blue and tan set of jammies from the Soma Intimates Romantic Collection. My first impression was that the product was very pretty and incredibly soft.  After trying them on, I found that the PJs run true to size and were quite comfortable.  I brought my jammies to a blogger event in Pennsylvania this week and was so glad I did!  The Soma PJs kept me warm in a climate to which I am NOT accustom.

Right now, Soma is having a 2 for $59 deal on the Personality PJs and if you spend over $75, you get FREE shipping, too!  If you are looking for a great gift this holiday season, you really can’t go wrong with soft pajamas! Don’t miss any holiday specials…follow Soma on Twitter!

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Soma Intimates and received a pair of Personality PJs to thank me for taking the time to participate.”
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FINISH Quantum and JET-DRY Turbo Dry: Review and Giveaway

November 28, 2010 By

I would be lying if I claimed to love housework.  Honestly, I don’t like it very much at all, but the number one chore that I despise the most is doing the dishes.  I hate it.  Like really hate it.  Short of hiring a housekeeper, if there is anything that makes accomplishing this necessary evil, I am all for it!

Thanks to Mom Central, I had the opportunity to try out FINISH Quantum dishwashing detergent and FINISH Jet-Dry Turbo Dry.  About the products:

“FINISH® Quantum® is a revolutionary advanced dishwashing detergent system that has 3 chamber technology that releases agents that breaks down food residues, leaving nothing behind but the shine.  Its so powerful, there’s no need to pre-rinse your dishes. The advanced detergent releases each agent when needed during the cycle. POWERMAX™ bleach granules attack tough stains like tea
and coffee, powerful enzyme granules soften burnt-on food like lasagna, and POWERBALL® withJET-DRY® gel finishes off dishes with amazing shine.

FINISH® JET-DRY® Turbo Dry® provides superior drying compared to detergent alone.  It is a type of dishwasher additive—a Drying Agent—that is specifically engineered to give you amazingly dry cutlery,glass, and even plastic items.”

I used both products after eating leftovers from our Thanksgiving meal.  I will say that I was skeptical because some containers housed side dishes (such as cranberry sauce) that had been in the refrigerator for two days.  I really wanted to see if pre-rinsing was necessary, so I placed some of the dishes in the dishwasher without rinsing beforehand.  When the cycle was finished, I will say that I was impressed.  None of the tupperware containers had spots and none of the dishes had streaks.  Only one dish out of the entire load (which was used for macaroni and cheese) had a small piece of food left on it.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one that was impressed by these products.  They were recently featured on a recent episode of Designing Spaces!  Check out the tips on the do’s and don’ts of dishwashing! Overall, both my husband and I were satisfied with the performance of both the FINISH Quantum and JET-DRY Turbo Dry products.  I would definitely consider buying them in the future.

GIVEAWAY

Do you hate doing the dishes as much as I do?  I am here to help!  Five winners will receive a sample of BOTH the FINISH Quantum and JET-DRY Turbo Dry!

How to Enter:

1. Tell me which household chore you hate the most!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog and FINISH (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog on Facebook.

5. Place my blog button on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on December 9th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of FINISH and received a sample of FINISH Quantum and JET-DRY Turbo Dry. Mom Central Consulting also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”
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SanDisk Sansa Fuze MP3 Player: Review

November 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

It’s amazing how music can change your mood.  When I am feeling on edge or anxious, I love to pop in my iPod and put on some tunes to take my mind off of the issue.  The portable device stays in my purse and allows me to escape anytime, anyplace.  Unfortunately, these devices can be pretty expensive causing us to choose only one for our family.  However, thanks to Mom Central, I was recently introduced to the SanDisk Sansa Fuze MP3 Player.  About the product:

SanDisk Sansa Fuze MP3 Player“The Sansa® Fuze™+ MP3 player gives you more player for less money. From its sleek and thin styling to its invisible touch control, the Sansa Fuze+ MP3 player delivers a great user experience and lets you do more than just play music files. Add a blank microSD™ card to expand your own music library or an optional slotRadio™ card for an instant library of songs – even listen to FM radio with the ability to record stations or record your voice with the built-in mic. Sansa Fuze+ MP3 player is the newest in a long line of award-winning players from the inventor of flash memory cards.”

I was sent the Sansa Fuze 4GB in Black, but they come in an array of colors including red, purple, blue, white and black and up to 16GB of storage. Starting at only $79.99, this MP3 player is more than affordable!

One huge difference between the Sansa Fuze and other MP3 players is the fact that it is also a recordable FM radio.  Being able to switch from my playlist to local radio shows is invaluable.  While the 4GB Fuze can hold up to 1,000 songs (downloading from your computer), one way to maximize the functionality is to purchase a SanDisk slotRadio card.  About the cards:

“Each SanDisk® slotRadio™ card includes 1,000 songs featuring artists from the Billboard® charts. Songs are preloaded onto a tiny card with handcrafted playlists that include hundreds of artists. Like a FM radio experience, you can lean back and let slotRadio do the heavy-lifting so you don’t have to download music song-by-song. Songs are played in sequence and are locked to the card. You can skip individual songs as many times as you like, or switch between playlists with a touch of a button. Simply insert a slotRadio™ card into the slotRadio player and enjoy music in an instant. It’s great music made effortless.”

Because I already have a portable device, I passed this review on to my husband to try out for the past week and here are a few of his thoughts:

  • The Sansa Fuze is small, light and thin.  I am able to slip it into my pocket and take it to the gym without even noticing it is there.
  • The sound quality is excellent and radio antenna is strong.  The Fuze picks up local radio stations perfectly.
  • The VH1 slotRadio card (Classic) is great!  The Classic card included artists such as Beastie Boys, Bon Jovi, Elton John and Soundgarden.  I love the preset playlists….especially the “workout” list!  I want the Rock one next! For $39.99, it’s a good deal.
  • Navigating the system touchpad was intuitive and the screen was clear and bright.
  • I recommend this for someone looking for excellent quality on a budget.

Both my husband and I were impressed by the SanDisk Fuze and slotRadio cards.  This MP3 player is something we would definitely consider purchasing as a gift.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of SanDisk and received the SanDisk Sansa Fuze+ and VH1 slotRadio Card to facilitate my review.”
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Clorox Toilet Bowl in New Orleans! {Giveaway}

November 17, 2010 By

Here in New Orleans, we bleed Black and Gold.  I’m not kidding.  Saints football is like a religion to most New Orleanians, and my family is no exception.  For years, the Saints were the Aints and although we were tired of being at the bottom, we supported our boys and cheered them on.  But, earlier this year, everything changed.  The New Orleans Saints are now the SUPERBOWL CHAMPION New Orleans Saints.

This Thanksgiving, Saints fans get a special treat!  Our team will be playing on Thanksgiving Day!  Many fans will trade in the traditional turkey dinners for tailgating food and popcorn.  So, it’s only fitting that the first ever Clorox Toilet Bowl will be played right here in New Orleans!

From the SuperBowl to the ToiletBowl?  Just hear me out….I have a point!

Many families across America partake in a friendly (or mostly friendly) games of touch football.  This year, Clorox is inviting two families to travel to New Orleans and play the game in the official ToiletBowl!  Each finalist, will be able to select nine teammates to travel to New Orleans for a 3 day, 2 night vacation in the Big Easy.  And the best part?  The former pro quarterback (and The Bachelor star) Jesse Palmer will coach the families!

So how do you enter this fabulous contest?

  • Tell Clorox in 100 words or less why your team should play in the Clorox® Toilet BowlTM. Describe your family tradition; your game if you have one and if not, how you experience the bowl season.
  • 2. Upload a photo. Upload a photo of yourself either alone or with family and/or friends that displays your family-friendly football tradition.
  • 3. Pick a mascot. Make it distinct, memorable and worthy of the throne.
  • 4. Choose your colors. Porcelain White or Crystal Blue? Your Toilet BowlTM colors are up to you.
  • 5. Rally your fans. Gain support by sharing the position you think your friends and family were destined to play.

GIVEAWAY

To get you all excited about the Clorox ToiletBowl (I mean, who wouldn’t be excited, right?),  Clorox would like to give one of my readers their very own Clorox Toilet Wand and pink branded football!

How to enter:

1. Tell me your favorite NFL team!  Who are you pulling for each Sunday!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @Clorox on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog and Clorox ToiletBowl on Facebook.

5. Place my blog banner on your sidebar.

6. Subscribe to my Feed.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on December 1st. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Clorox and received a gift code, toilet wand and football to thank me for taking the time to participate.”
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