dry case :: waterproof vacuum seal

Water is frequently a part of our summer day, whether it be at the pool, out on the lake, or from just watching the kids jump through the sprinkler.  For a lot of reasons, including some safety related ones, I like to have my phone handy wherever we are even if it is near water.  But being around water so much was making me a bit nervous about the potential disastrous combination of my children and my phone.

Enter Dry Case.  The Dry Case Waterproof phone, camera and music player case is my iPhone's new BFF.  I just put my phone in the Dry Case, hooked up the Headphone & Microphone port, locked the top, and then pumped the air out.  The touchscreen still works thorough the plastic and the investment otherwise known as my iPhone is safely protected from water damage.

Here's a nifty photo to show all the features and parts that come with the Dry Case.

It's good to note that if you want to use your phone to make calls or to listen to music while it's sealed in the Dry Case you will need to hook up some headphones to the Headphone & Microphone Port.  And just because it's waterproof doesn't mean it floats.  Use the provided Lanyard and/or Buoyant Neoprene Armband to keep your expensive electronics from sinking (test the armband for buoyancy with each device).

To show you just how much I trusted the seal on my Dry Case look at the photo to the left.  That is my actual iPhone, my calendar/only phone/to-do list/shopping list/etc.  in the hands of my 3 year old while she was swimming in the pool.  If I didn't trust the seal on my Dry Case to have held there is no way I would have ever tested it out like that...

Waterproof phone, camera and music player case :: $39.99

*I received product to facilitate this review and promotion. The opinions expressed are my own.*

CSN to the rescue again!

Since the last review on SIMPLE, have you checked out CSN Stores?

CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find anything you need whether it be wall art and decor, fitness equipment (to aid your New Year's resolution), or even cute cookware! I have recently taken quite an interest in their wall art and decor section. Check this out, isn't it cool?!?!I'm in love with CSN Stores (reviewed HERE before). They seriously have anything you need! Sometimes I just need to get a few random things and in order to go out to the store or the mall that includes packing up the kids and the car and the purse...it's just not worth it. My first stop is to CSN online because I have found SO many things that I have needed in the past. And I get to do it in the comfort of my own home!

You can pretty much find anything you need or have been looking for. AND...you shop in your pajamas at night when the kids are in bed and it is delivered right to you house. Love this!

GET YOUR OWN!! Head on over to CSN Stores and start your shopping! I challenge you to find something that isn't there that you are looking for. I'll bet they have it!

** GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED - CONGRATULATIONS TO #51! **

WIN YOUR OWN!! One lucky SIMPLE reader will get a $25 gift certificate to be used at CSN Stores.com!

To enter, let us know what you looking for online right now...what's on your "want list" :) Extra Entries (leave a separate comment for each):

• "Like" CSN Stores on Facebook
• Tweet this giveaway (daily tweets allowed): Enter to win a $25 gift certificate to @CSNStores on @simplereviews: http://tinyurl.com/5vvxs5s #giveaway Pls RT

Chosen winner must be from either the US or Canada. Winner will be randomly selected and announced January 28, 2011. Good Luck!

Shopping with Blue Avocado

Amazingly, I only have two hands but am somehow able to carry way more than I would have thought humanly possible before kids.  You probably do it too, a diaper bag, a purse, a kid (or two!), plus those 'incidentals' that come with running errands or shopping...  I just love to see the faces of non-parents when they see what a balancing act I can manage!

With this being said, I can honestly say that I am always on the lookout for any type of bag or organizational product to make my life easier, especially when running errands.  After using it for about a month I am absolutely in LOVE my new Starter Kit from Blue Avocado!

Besides for the absolutely adorable color (mine came in plum-doodle, pictured left), I just love how sturdy and versatile these bags have been for me.  Having been long-standing member of the 'reusable bag' club from my local grocers, I know that those bags do have a few flaws:

1. they can't handle as many groceries in one bag as I'd like
2. they don't fold up very small
3. they get dirty and you can only surface clean them (Can you say gross?)

My new Blue Avocado bags fix all these problems for me!  No only does the Pak bag from my kit really hold the grocery equivalent of 3 other bags, it folds up so small that I actually still have use of my SUV's cargo space!

Plus the bags are machine washable, so I can throw them in the washer to get clean and not worry about mold, mildew and everyday dirt getting on my food. (Machine washable + me = LOVE)

Another thing I love is that these bags are sturdy!  The Starter Kit alone can hold up to 50 lbs of groceries and I don't have to worry about it ripping open while I'm trekking up two flights of stairs with 2 gallons of milk nestled on the bottom of all my other groceries! 

GET YOUR OWN: Visit Blue Avocado's online shop to stock up on your own shopping essentials.  Plus, our lucky SIMPLE readers can use the coupon code "goodkarma30" for 30% off any purchase through 1/31/11!!!  I'm thinking I need to add all the Grande Kit bags that I don't have... maybe I should just get another kit huh? :)

*I was provided with a Blue Avocado Starter Pak free of charge to conduct this review. The opinions provided are my own.a
 

Get your Holiday Shopping off to a Great Start!

My husband told me about CSN Stores months ago, and I just recently checked them out. He works with them on a daily basis for his job, and apparently I didn't take him seriously. He said they have EVERYTHING anyone could ever need. Here it is, "he was right!" (Don't tell him I told you that) :)

Have you ever looked at CSN Stores? What are you searching for right now? I can almost guarantee that they have it! They have everything from briefcases to bedding! Speaking of bedding, I found the set I want to get! What do you think?They have over 200 online stores to shop from! With the holidays right around the corner, why not shop somewhere that you can get something for everyone? Talk about a time saver! Here are a couple other fabulous items I found:
GET YOUR OWN!! Head on over to CSN Stores and start your shopping! I challenge you to find something that isn't there that you are looking for. I'll bet they have it!

**GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED - CONGRATS TO #67!!**

WIN YOUR OWN!! One lucky SIMPLE reader will get a $55 gift certificate to be used at CSN Stores.com!

To enter, let us know what you are wanting to find/shop for at CSN Stores this gift giving season!

Extra Entries (leave a separate comment for each):

• "Like" CSN Stores on Facebook
• Tweet this giveaway (daily tweets allowed): Enter to win a $55 gift certificate to @CSNStores on @simplereviews: http://tinyurl.com/24xwlao #giveaway
  

Chosen winner must be from either the US or Canada. Winner will be randomly selected and announced November 26, 2010. Good Luck!

Making life simpler with simplehuman!

Is it possible to love a trash can? If so, I'm in love! I don't have the ability to hide my trash can away in the cupboard because, well, cupboard space in my home is very limited. So, I have to have mine out in the open. No one likes trash, but let's face it, it is always there! I have finally found the answer to my trash troubles!

As you can tell, I am very excited about this new trash can. You can actually read my very expressive post on my own personal blog if you want :) You can see it HERE.

simplehuman sent me their fingerprint proof round step can. Awesomeness wrapped into a trash can! And yes, I did say fingerprint proof. With two little ones running around (ages 4.5 and 1.5), we have definitely tested this feature out. Passed with flying colors!

Another thing that I really love about this trash can is the fact that it isn't noisy when it closes. "Lid shox technology" is what makes the lid close so quietly. The technology uses air suspension shocks! Fantastic feature for when my Lili throws something away and Adalynn is sound asleep. She actually stays asleep because the trash can isn't slamming shut! AND...it has a 10-year warranty!

Here are a couple other features:

• Sturdy, non-skid base - keeps the trash can steady
• fingerprint proof - need I say more?!?!
• Slim profile hinge - which allows the can to get closer to the wall
• Smartbucket bag change system - no more messy bag overhang and mishaps when taking the trash out!

After I got the trash can all set up, my husband grabbed their product book and kept saying, we need this...we need this...etc.

More reviews will be coming in the future from this awesome company...i hope this review has given you the gusto to go out and take a peek into simplehuman. So far, every product that I have have the ability to use has been awesome!!

Follow simplehuman on Facebook and Twitter to hear about new product releases and other fun things!

GET YOUR OWN!! You can get your own fingerprint proof step can for $69.99-79.99 from simplehuman. Why not spruce your home up before the holidays are upon us! No time like the present to have simplehuman help you out with this! With any order over $25, they include free shipping! That is reason enough right there to start shopping!

*I was provided with the fingerprint proof step can from simplehuman free of charge to conduct this review.*

With Motion in Mind!

"Complex enough to play with yet simple enough to wear."

And play with it is right! My husband just loves this ring! This ring simply put, is simply fabulous! My husband has worn this ring non stop since it arrived. And, let me tell you, has he received the compliments! WOW! Every where he goes, seriously! I would HIGHLY recommend getting this ring for the man in your life. Not only does it look cool, but it was made first class! Check this out:

"...the ring is protected by numerous patents pending (both design and utility), as well as other Intellectual Property rights, both in the USA and Internationally". That makes this a very unique and original item!

Yet one more great thing about this ring...LIFETIME WARRANTY and free worldwide shipping. So, with all that being said, don't you think the man in your life would love one of these for a Christmas present, a birthday present....any present? All I know is my husband loves it!

While you are over navigating around at Kinekt's site, be sure to check out their "Extras" page for some cool things. From music, wall papers and icons, very cool items there!

GET YOUR OWN! Ok, now that you have seen all this ring can do, you are wanting to know where to get one. You can get one at their site, by clicking HERE! They have sizes from 5 to 14 available. Take my word for it, you will want to get one of these for your husband, boyfriend, dad, friend, anyone! It is just awesome!

*I was provided with the gear ring featured above from kinekt in order to give my unbiased option and to conduct this review. What was written above is my opinion!*

Say it with Letters!

Unique! I just love unique items! Whether they are for my me, my home, clothing choices...the list goes on and on.

Letterture has some of the most unique photo letters I have seen. Not only are they unique, but they are a great price as well! $5 per letter, I have looked and I can't seem to find a better price AND a great selection of letters - in this genre of art.

In addition to the individual letters that you can purchase to make words for your home, they are now also offering notecards. I love unique notecards too. Seems like I am writing one or two cards a week, these are going to be great to add to my stash!

Become a Facebook fan to hear about specials they currently have going on!

*Please note, the pricing for MOST of the items are without framing...in other words, you need to purchase a frame on your own for your letters. Some items come with framing though, if you are not certain, be sure to ask when placing your order.*

GET YOUR OWN: Head on over to Letterture and start your browsing now. Not only are these great gifts for yourself, but they are great gifts for anyone you have to buy for!

SIMPLE COUPON: Purchase 5 letters and the 6th letter is FREE! All you have to do is purchase the letters you want, add them to your cart and in the comment section specify the letter (A1, A2, etc) that you want as the FREE letter.

WIN YOUR OWN: Letterture is giving away five (5) letters to one lucky SIMPLE reader! To enter, visit their site, then come back here and leave a comment telling us what item you would love to have for yourself or to give as a gift.

Extra Entries: (leave separate comment for each and EACH ENTRY WILL BE VERIFIED - if not, the entry may be removed)

• Blog this giveaway linking back to SIMPLE and Letterture
  
• Tweet this giveaway
• Become a new fan of SIMPLE on Facebook
• Become a new fan of Letterture on Facebook (Click HERE)
• Make a purchase through Letterture and come back here telling us what you bought!
  

Winner will be randomly selected and announced August 6, 2010. Good Luck!

*I was provided with the "faith" print from Letterture featured above free of charge.*

What Dad who bikes wouldn't want a Kuat?

With Father's day just around the corner I thought it might be nice to give you gals some ideas for you husbands.

Kuat (Koo-at) - For those about to ride.

If your family bikes, look no further for your father's day gift. Kuat Racks offer a simple, lightweight, innovative design. The best part about their racks is that I can lift them! What good is a bike rack if only my husband can use it. We received the Kuat Sherpa about two weeks ago and as a surprise I assembled the item 100% on my own and mounted it to his vehicle. I have tried this with a few of our bike racks in the past and had no success. The smile on my husband's face went from ear to ear when he arrived home to see this beauty attached to his car.

Almost all of their racks come with an integrated lock system to secure your bikes and 3 out of 4 of the racks fit both a 2" and 1.25" hitch receiver. This is a great feature since Mike's car has one size and my SUV has another. Now we have something we can use on both. It was so easy to load the bikes on and off this rack. It has made going out on family or trail rides so much less work.

Here is a great quote from their site:

"Kuat designed these racks for those that want a great looking way to get their bikes from A to B but don't want to hire a Nascar pit crew to put it on and take it off of their ride."

Find Kuat on Facebook HERE!

GET YOUR OWN! Head on over to Kuat and take a look around. You can find a rack of your own by clicking HERE to head to their "Dealers" page. You can enter your zip code to find a dealer near you. You can also find these on Amazon. This rack definitely turns heads - so if your family or husband or yourself do a little biking, you will want this rack - and you will love the attention! :)

*I was provided with the sample rack pictured above free of charge from Kuat!.*

Buckle up that Easter Basket!

I have the perfect gift for your kids' Easter baskets this year! And even better, this gift is NOT filled with sugar!! It is an educational, fluffy stuffed animal that is covered in buckles!! This is not your average stuffed animal!

I love this toy! It is a wonderful, cuddly toy that my daughter has been walking around with non stop. This BuckleyBunny is now going with us everywhere. The cool thing about it though, is my daughter will just take a break from playing and start working on the buckles. I can just see her brain working - she is trying to get her hands figured out so she can do the buckles. Not all the buckles are the same as you can see in the picture. The excitement that exudes her when she accomplishes a new buckle is priceless.

One other thing I like about the BuckleyBoo is that after my daughter gets all the buckles unbuckled, she has to put them back together. This starts by matching the ribbons that go with each buckle. So, yet another learning experience! Click HERE to see for yourself how this works...this is a great video that shows how this toy can benefit kids as young as 15 months old!

Click HERE to head on over and see the awards this has won, what press articles have been written as well as testimonials.


















Become a fan on Facebook of BuckleyBoo by clicking HERE!

GET YOUR OWN!! Head on over to BuckleyBoo today and take a look around. There are so many animals to choose from if you are not interested in the adorable bunny. You can get a 12" ($19.99) or 17" animal ($29.99) in most all the other animals. Do a little shopping of your own and use the coupon code SMPLE15 to get 15% off your order! This does not include gift wrapping and shipping. Offer is good from today through April 1st.

*I was provided with the sample mentioned in this review free of charge.*

Kroger Cart Buster Savings Event and Giveaway

Whose pantry doesn't need some stocking up??? Mine totally does!!!

The rest of the week and weekend is the final days of Kroger and the Kroger Family of Stores Cart Buster Savings Event. It's a great time to check out their advertised specials on many brand names such as Honey Nut Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Pillsbury, Yoplait, Progresso, Green Giant, Cascadian Farm, Tide, Charmin, Bounty, Pampers, Pantene, Crest, Iams, Febreze, Old Spice... you get the point!!!

I love that the sale is on products that we use daily at my house!!! And I plan on taking a trip to the store to see what we can stock up on during the sale. I also found some of this week's deals posted on Southern Savers or BeCentsAble(organized by state and store)

Find your store HERE!!

WIN YOUR OWN!! MyBlogSpark would love for a SIMPLE reader to use a $25 Gift Card when they take part in some of the upcoming sales at their local Kroger Family Store!!! In a comment, leave what you hope to stock up on or what you HAVE stocked up on at the Cart Buster Savings Event already and your email address.

For additional entries: (comment once for each entry)
* Blog about this giveaway linking back to SIMPLE
* Tweet this giveaway: Need Groceries? $25 GC to Kroger over at @simplereviews Just leave comment to enter to win! #contest http://tinyurl.com/ydof5g9
* Become a new follower of SIMPLE
* Become a Facebook fan of SIMPLE

Winner will be randomly selected and announced 3/18/10.




**The Kroger Family of Stores gift card, information, and giveaway are all provided by the Kroger Family of Stores and General Mills through MyBlogSpark... thank you!

Cover those germs!

As soon as my daughter got to the age that I had to start putting her into the shopping cart when we went grocery shopping, I soon realized that I would be putting her right into the middle of the germ festival. That is what I call the shopping cart handle. Uck!! Take a look at the picture below...she would be doing this on the handle if a cover was not there!! This cover is perfect for all "high chairs, shopping carts, and two seaters".
I came across Caden Lane when I was looking for a cute, quality shopping cart cover. Caden Lane's shopping cart cover has got to be the coolest looking ones I've seen yet! The fabric and construction used in making this is first class. Matter of fact, the day I received this in the mail I was SO excited to go grocery shopping. My husband just turned and laughed at me because I have NEVER said that before!! The cover is very simple to put onto the shopping cart too. I do it while holding my 6 month old in one hand and placing the cover on the cart with the other.

Become a fan of Caden Lane on Facebook to stay in touch with their specials and new products. Stay connected with Caden Lane by clicking HERE.

GET YOUR OWN: Caden Lane has so many things to offer...head on over and check it out! From shopping cart covers to bedding for cribs and big kids to hooded towels and spill mats...just to name a few. For everything that you want to purchase, Caden Lane is offering a 20% discount. Simply enter SIMPLE20 at checkout!

*I was provided with the sample mentioned in this review free of charge.*

BJs Review and Giveaway

We all need groceries!!! During the holidays with parties and visits with family, it seems like we go through more groceries than normal:)

To help with the holiday season, I was offered an opportunity to shop at BJs Wholesale Club and a $25 gift card* to get me started!!! I was excited about the task since I LOVE sales, good deals and coupons. And I was very interested in learning more about BJs!

I begin my adventure I started by getting a 60-day free membership. Since we live at least 1.5 hours from a BJs, I didn't participate in their special new-member paid offer for $45, which included a $10 coupon, an extra two months of membership, 2 books full of coupons off everyday items and 2 membership cards. What I did like about the offer was that it was completely refundable, if you were not satisfied with your experience at anytime you could cancel and get the full $45 back!! That is IMPRESSIVE!

Did I mention BJs likes coupons!! Besides offering their own coupons regularly through mailings, at customer service and when you become a member, BJs also accepts manufacturer's coupons (like the ones in the newspaper)!! And you can use both types on the same item (AKA... stack them)!! And BJs also has items that offer rebates! So there are many ways to save at BJs!

Let me share my experience..... I am planning to do A LOT of baking this Christmas, so I went into BJs looking for some basic ingredients. If I had been looking for treats and party foods already made I would have been in party-host heaven..... but since I was looking for the basics (like flour and sugar) I was disappointed!!

I also had trouble comparing prices because of the bigger sizes:) I did find some items (like soymilk and some electronics) very competivitely priced compared to the local stores I shop. Other items seemed overpriced to me... it wasn't until I was walking out that I remembered that on most of the items that I would purchase at BJs I would have manuacturer's coupons and maybe even a BJs coupon. So the Cheerios that I saw would have actually only been a little over a $1 with the newspaper coupon and the BJs member coupon (which was $3 off.... wow)!!

I did walk out with a Christmas present for my parents! The item was a brand-name that we trust and BJs was offering a good price for it plus a rebate. When leaving I realized that I didn't receive information about the rebate and I went to the customer service desk. They also couldn't find the information I needed!! So they immediately gave me the rebate in cash... so BJs got an "A +" for the customer service I received!!!!

Get your Own!! You can get your own 60-day Free Trial Membership at BJs. But you'll have to choose whether you'll take the free membership or paid-special. Click here to locate your nearest club - http://www.bjs.com/general/locator/index.

Win your Own!! MyBlogSpark is giving a SIMPLE reader a BJs Saving Soultions pack which includes a $25 gift card, coupons, and special BJs offers from the BJs Journal:) To enter, answer this question as a comment, "What items would you love to stock-up on at BJ’s?"

Extra Entries:
•Be or become a Follower of SIMPLE
•Be or become a fan of SIMPLE on Facebook
•Blog about this giveaway, linking back to both SIMPLE and BJs (leave the URL)
•Tweet this giveaway, include us in the tweet @simplereviews

Giveaway ends December 18th with a winner randomly chosen!! Good Luck :)





* BJ´s Wholesale Club and General Mills provided me with the free trial membership, complimentary gift card, coupons and information through MyBlogSpark.

Some things to add to your Christmas Wish List!

I have come across so many products that I have fallen in love with while doing research for these reviews. So many are fun and unique and I know that anyone would be delighted to receive these as gifts. So, in saying all that, I thought I would put together some ideas for you all!

Many of these items are on my wish list for this year....hopefully you can find some things on here as well to add to yours! Christmas is just around the corner...maybe you can find just what you are looking for here, for that impossible person to shop for. Happy Shopping!!

(Click on each picture to be directed over to that item so you can shop around!)