Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

electronics

Merry Stressless! It’s Better at Best Buy.

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Last week, I had an amazing shopping experience in which I learned three very valuable lessons. Think this shopaholic knows everything about buying gifts? Nope, not even close. There’s always room for learning, and recently, I was schooled in Holiday Shopping 101: Best Buy Canada.

Hence, with just about a week left to complete your Christmas shopping, I figured now is as good time as any to share my wealth of knowledge! If you still have family to shop for (and I know you do, come on, there’s always that one person who has everything), I’m here to help you complete your shopping in the most Merry Stressless way.

Lesson #1: Find a store that has something for everyone under one roof.

I mean, it’s pretty hard not to find an amazing gift at Best Buy. They’ve got the most in-demand products this holiday season; from televisions to tablets, and computers to cameras, it is a tech lover’s mecca. And if you have to shop for someone who isn’t into gadgets, that isn’t a problem. With music, DVDs, toys and even personal grooming products available, you can pop in-store or online and find exactly what you’re looking for.

I was fortunate to have a Best Buy Blue Shirt personal shopping experience with Tommy Spizarsky, Multi-Channel Sales Supervisor at the Winston Park store in Oakville. And as he took me through the impressive store – complete with expert departments for Apple, Microsoft and Samsung – I realized pretty quickly that I could get most of my holiday shopping done that very same evening….

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The Epitome of Cool: Dell XPS 12

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Last month, I let y’all know that I had a stack of cool gadgets to review this season. And while I wanted to chat about the NEW Dell XPS 12 weeks ago, I really wanted to give myself a chance to get to know the ultrabook. After all, I take my product reviews seriously – well, as seriously as someone who’s currently blogging from her dining table in a fuzzy pink robe – and I wanted to ensure I had adequate time to familiarize myself with the machine.

But, to be completely honest, there’s one major reason I’ve been dragging my feet. You see, I’m so IN LOVE with my Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook, that I simply had to fall out of love in order to give the XPS 12 a fair shot. Both Dell Ultrabooks, both super sleek with impressive features, both incredibly portable for moms on the go.

However, the XPS 12 does have a unique, distinctive advantage: it’s a 2-in-1 Ultrabook and Tablet.

XPS 12 is the only high-performance Ultrabook to feature the elegant flip-hinge design. Whether you’re browsing your favourite blogs in tablet mode, or answering emails and preparing presentations in Ultrabook mode, the XPS 12 is built around your life. “The unique flip-hinge design couples an elegant transition with premium materials and craftsmanship. The hinge is tested to 20,000 cycles. That is equivalent to doing 10 flips per day, 7 days a week for 5.5 years.” – Dell

And when you factor in its innovative design, durable style and resilient display, there’s only one way to describe the XPS 12: The Epitome of Cool.

Look out for the following features of the Dell XPS 12:

Beautifully Tough. Constructed with precision cut aluminium and carbon fibre, the XPS 12 maximizes strength and minimizes weight with premium materials. The carbon fibre body is as strong as aluminium, but lighter and cooler to the touch.

A Brilliant View. XPS 12 includes a 12.5″ Full HD (1080p) screen that provides up to 2X more pixels than standard HD displays so you’ll see finer details, lines and edges. And, a 170-degree viewing angle means that your display looks clear and crisp from almost any seat.

Fast Start. Get started quickly with whatever your day brings. Boot up in seconds with an all flash solid-state drive and Intel Rapid Start Technology.

Impressive Battery Performance. XPS 12 is designed to save you time and keep going longer – delivering up to 9 hours 32 minutes of battery life. (My favourite feature, naturally.)

I’m slowly falling in love with this Ultrabook, especially from a family travel perspective; the boys can enjoy all their favourite apps and videos in tablet mode, and I can pop open the laptop to get my work done after they’re down for the night. The XPS 12 is an authentic mutitasker!

I’ll be back next month with more thoughts and findings. In the meantime, visit Dell.ca to learn more about the XPS 12 2-in-1 Ultrabook and Tablet.

HP TouchSmart 320-1030 Desktop PC #Tots2Toddlers

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

I hope you’ve all been enjoying my #Tots2Toddlers giveaways! I’ve been featuring the products that my toddlers love – and the products that have helped make the transition (almost) seamless!

Next up – what’s not to love about the HP TouchSmart 320-1030 Desktop PC? I could ramble off the specifications – which you can find here – but since I don’t talk techie, I thought I’d break it down for you in a way even my toddlers can understand:

1) The HP Touchsmart features a large (20”) HD LED backlit diagonal widescreen, which is irresistible to children and doubles as an entertainment hub. My little guys enjoy many the YouTube video (sigh, in the form of Toopy and Binoo, not Katy Perry) on the computer, and I love that I can adjust the tilt, brightness and sound effortlessly….

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Yes, We Love it: Dell Inspiron One 2320 All-In-One

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It’s been just over three months with our beloved Dell Inspiron One 2320 All-In-One desktop computer. Now I normally don’t follow up with product testimonials after the initial review, but given that this unit is STILL a family favourite chez Lena, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to remind y’all why I love it so much.

(Read my first two posts here and here.)

But why am I so obsessed with this computer? In addition to its sleek design, redonkulous 23″ touchscreen, almost completely wireless interface and powerful, juiced-up performance, I simply love that the Inspiron One 2320 meshes so well with all our entertainment needs. Consider this:

Dude Appeal

My husband loves streaming sports events online. Before the Dell Inspiron One 2320 All-In-One, he’d hunch over his laptop while squinting away at the screen, trying to capture every detail. Our new 23″ touchscreen is approximately the same size of my first television! So he can enjoy all of his games and matches, up close and in perfect detail. A bonus: the unit is highly portable, so the main event takes place wherever he decides!

Kid-Friendly

Obviously my children love it – did you see Ryder go to town on YouPaint? (Watch again here – just scroll down to the video at the bottom of the post). But it’s more than just letting the kids go crazy with touch-optimized games like Dodge or Bug Garden. You can also:

– Web conference with family and friends with the HD webcam and enhanced audio.
– Swiftly transfer photos and videos to the Inspiron One with the built-in media card reader.
– Listen to your favorite music playlists on the awesome high-fidelity JBL speakers.

Between web conferencing with their beloved aunties, watching endless home videos, and dancing their pants off to mommy’s 80’s playlist, the kids have officially dubbed this their entertainment central.

Mom Approved

If you’re going to blog, blog in style. And I’m treated to this sleek and streamlined machine, perfect for keeping my living spaces clean and uncluttered. Even better – I can watch movies in vivid quality, reveling in the high-definition 1080p LCD with WLED backlighting. In fact, a few weeks ago, when the entire family was sick, I designated Ryder’s room as the movie theatre. And we all snuggled in his bed while hours of Toopy and Binoo projected from the screen atop his dresser. Quality family time? Heck yeah.

So in conclusion, do I love this computer as much as I did 90 days ago? A huge, resounding YES! 

Click here to visit Dell.ca.

Kiddies LOVE the Dell Inspiron One 2320 All-In-One

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In my previous post, Put a Bow on It: Dell Inspiron One 2320 All-In-One, I shared many, many reasons why I love the Dell Inspiron One desktop computer. If you weren’t paying attention (shame on you!), just click the link above and prepare to be blown away with all the amazing features. Remember, it has officially earned the title of “Best Holiday Gift of 2011″ in my books. Sweet!

Today, I want to show you why my little guys love it.

…

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Tweet This: Motorola XT860 4G

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This post requires a full, passionate disclaimer: I am NOT a techie. I don’t speak the lingo, salivate over dual-core processors (or even know what it refers to), and I certainly can’t keep up with ever-changing technology. So if you’re a mobile phone enthusiast who has Googled the Motorola XT860 4G and landed on this review, I apologize – it may not be exactly what you’re looking for.

However, if you’re a gal like me – a mama who needs a phone that makes social media (and life) easy – then read on, friend, read on.

Now I’ve always been an iPhone kind of gal, mainly because a) it’s what my husband promotes, b) he told me it’s pretty great, and c) is for clueless and that’s good enough for me.

So when sent the brand-spankin’ new Motorola XT860 4G (exclusive to Bell Mobility), I must admit I was more than a little curious. Not only would I be one of the first to tap, touch and tweet on this much hyped-about superphone, but I was also incredibly excited to enter the world of techie reviews.

Oy.

After exclusively using this phone for just over a month, I’ve come to realize that there is simply no way I’ll ever be able to cover everything I want to. So I’ll just give you the highlights:…

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Reno-Giveaway #6: Kodak Playtouch

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only. 

Now I’m not quite sure if anyone has been taking notes, but y’all may have noticed that Reid’s bedroom has been missing from the before/after footage of my recent Reno-cation. Ta-da! Here we go…

Reno-cation: Reid’s Room

Creating a new room for Reid was both happy and heartbreaking for me. On one hand, I was quite content to move his crib out of our master bedroom (we’ve since changed the space to a sitting area, complete with cream leather couch). But giving Reid a new dwelling also meant that we’d be removing all traces of Ryder’s old nursery, a room that I had put so much time, thought and love into.

Alas, children grow up, and Ryder has a smashing new bedroom, so it was time to introduce Reid to the place he’d be hanging out for much of his childhood.

BEFORE

Unfortunately, I only remembered to take pictures when the room was just ready to be painted, so I can only really show a limited “before” room. We had previously painted the room in a muted sky blue, and my father-in-law had added a sunset theme on top.

The room, at 10’x12′, is the smallest bedroom in the house but it’s location beside the master bedroom makes it desirable for baby. Although there is ample space now, I foresee a twin bed in Reid’s room down the line.

AFTER

Turn up your speakers!
[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuoGOAmKe3I?rel=0″]

As you can see, the above video was filmed with my new Kodak Playtouch Video Camera. It totally rocks! I was pleased as punch to receive the camera for review from Kodak Canada. Please excuse my slightly shaking hand – I’ve got a sprained finger and it was hard to hold steady :(

NOTES

The paint colour we chose was Para Paints #P5040-34 Double Bogey. It may be difficult to discern the exact colour in the video, so here’s a paint chip for you. There’s actually a LOT more yellow that shines through when on the walls, making it an authentic pea green – as opposed to our main bathroom, which is more of a mint green. It’s in the same happy, upbeat family as Ryder’s sea blue – perfect for two, happy and upbeat little boys!

On to the video camera –

Read this:

“Go ahead. Touch it. You know you want to. Its unique touchscreen lets you glide through HD video like never before. That’s the beauty of the Kodak Playtouch Video Camera. It puts the high-end features you want right at your fingertips. With on-screen editing, you can easily keep the moments you want and trim the ones you don’t. And when you’re ready to turn today’s escapades into tomorrow’s buzz, getting them online is easier than ever. Just press the Share button and your videos are automatically ready for the Web.”

I LOVE this video camera! There are so many features I honestly don’t know where to begin. From a high level, the camera is stylish, very easy to navigate from the get-go, takes stunning pictures and full 1080p HD video, and fits into just about every pocket (even those attached to skinny jeans).

The features that rock my world:

One-button upload. With the Share button and Kodak’s Share button app, sharing your pictures is ridiculously simple. After you record your video or take a picture, press the “Share” button directly on the touchscreen. You can then tag it to YouTube, Facebook, or even send it to someone via e-mail! Then, once your Playtouch is connected to your computer, and with Kodak’s Share button app, your videos and pictures are automatically uploaded (and simultaneously transferred to your computer). Could it be easier?

Video recording in True 1080p HD. Pop in a SD/SDHC card and record up to 10 hours of HD video – my husband’s favourite feature! We can shoot up close or over the horizon, and even enjoy playback on the device with courtesy of the bright 7.6 cm LCD touchscreen.

Edit in the palm of your hand. That’s right – you can make changes to your video, such as trimming and extracting a still image, directly on the Playtouch.

Choose your effects. YOU be the director; choose from a variety of resolutions and capture effects, including black and white, sepia, high saturation, and 1970’s film look! You can also take 5 MP HD still pictures, which makes it the one of the most versatile video cameras on the market!

Click here for a full list of Kodak Playtouch features and specifications.

You can also purchase an incredible range of accessories for the Playtouch, including tripods, a fisheye lens, remote controls, cases and more!

(BONUS: Save 20% on accessories with any new digital camera purchase until June 19th, 2011 at Kodak.ca.)

We take the Kodak Playtouch everywhere we go, because you never know when you’ll stumble on a Kodak Moment. The Playtouch is available in four (4) colours – chrome, black, teal and orange – so you can match your camera to your personality!


The Kodak Playtouch Video Camera retails for $179.95 and can be purchased from Kodak.ca.


One lucky Listen to Lena! reader will win a Kodak Playtouch Video Camera! To enter, simply visit Kodak.ca and choose your favourite feature of the Playtouch. Then, leave a comment here telling us what it is.

You can also qualify for extra entries! Remember, you must leave a separate comment for each. You can:

(1) Visit Kodak.ca and choose one other product that catches your eye. Then, leave a separate comment telling us what it is.

(2) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena!
(3) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(4) NEW Follow Listen to Lena! on Twitter
(5) Tweet daily: Please use this Kodak Playtouch Giveaway Tweet.

I’ll draw for a winner on June 30th. Good luck everybody!

Reno-Giveaway #2: Sharp Air Purifier

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.
Two weeks ago, I let y’all know about what an asset it was to have a Sharp Air Purifier in my home. Great news! The fabulous folks over at Sharp agreed that we should share the love… Enter below for your chance to win!

And… we’ve still got the Air Purifier going every single day, even though our renovations are now complete. It is SO effective at removing cooking smells, dust and germs from the air – everyone is breathing better!

If you missed my review the first time around, read on! And, good luck!

If I had to sum up my entire Reno-cation in one word, it would be…

MESSY.

You know – dusty, dirty, disorganized… just… messy. From the onset of the renovations, I was more than a little concerned about the level of dust and debris that would surely invade the air in our home, especially since:

1) I suffer from wicked allergies to dust
2) My husband is a recovering asthmatic
3) We’ve got two little boys with tender lungs

So when the good folks at Sharp asked if I’d like to review their new Plasmacluster Air Purifier with Humidifying Function, I all but danced for joy. Cleaner, healthier air? Yes please!

The air purifier offers a unique combination of air treatment technologies to make you and your family more comfortable, whatever the season (spring reno-cations included!). Bacteria, germs, mold spores, pollen, pet dander, smoke, dust and odors are removed from the air with ease, thanks to an ultra quiet fan that draws air through a three-stage filter system while the revolutionary Plasmacluster Ion Technology actively refreshes the air.

But that’s not all – for an even more comfortable environment, the unit’s sensors constantly monitor the air quality in the room, adjusting the fan for air purity while providing the optimum humidity level. This combination of features is a smart way to choose cleaner, healthier, more breathable air.

My favourite features:

– New Humidification Function adds humidity to the air for more comfortable air quality, especially in colder weather. It also helps reduce static electricity that results from dry air.
– True HEPA Filter captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns from the air that passes through it, including pollen, mold, pet dander and dust.
– Plasmacluster Technology splits water molecules into positively and negatively charged ions which spread throughout the room. This system effectively refreshes the air similiar to the way nature cleans the environment near waterfalls or just after a thunderstorm.
– Clean Sign Indicator shows the level of impurities in the air passing through the filter so it’s easy to see the progress as healthier, cleaner air is returned into the room.
– Library Quiet operation is ideal for bedrooms and living rooms. Silent Mode is as quiet as 22 decibels, about the volume of rustling leaves. The KC-850U is among the quietest Air Purifiers with a true HEPA filter available anywhere.
– Energy Efficient operation means it’s easy on the wallet. With its advanced technologies, it is 35% more energy-efficient than standard models, making it ENERGY STAR qualified. So it can operate all the time, saving money while improving the quality of the air.
– Ultra Long Life HEPA Filters require changing only once every five years so operating costs are low.

We received the air purifier shortly after renovations began; therefore, the air was already littered with faint paint odors and dust from sanding walls and moving furniture. Set-up was incredibly simple – just plug and go, really. The display was intuitive, easy to follow and offered both manual and automatic operation settings. Since I’m all about convenience, I set the unit to automatic and prepared for a life altering experience.

Don’t laugh; I’m quite serious.

Within two hours (yes – that quickly) I could already detect a noticeable difference in the quality of air. Now I can’t put my finger on it, but it just seemed easier to breathe in and out.

Real results include:

1) My eyes, which had been streaked with red for much of the first few days, cleared after several hours (and have stayed that way). Allergies be gone!
2) My husband, who normally complains of breathing difficulties due to asthma, had his first completely restful night in years. He couldn’t stop raving about how well he slept (and is sleeping) – it makes us wonder how we ever lived without it.
3) Upon cleaning the air, there were virtually no noticeable paint fumes whatsoever: that’s pretty awesome considering we painted the ENTIRE house!

Now as we used the air purifier during warmer months, and since humidity and drying paint don’t necessarily mix, we didn’t have a chance to review the humidifier features of the unit. But, I very much look forward to putting it to the test this fall and winter!

Two things you may be wondering:

Q. Does the Air Purifier make a noticeable sound? Is it noisy?

A. According to Sharp Canada, and as mentioned above, the “Silent Mode is as quiet as 22 decibels, about the volume of rustling leaves.” This is incorrect. The truth is, it’s MUCH quieter than rustling leaves. You can’t hear it at all! I promise, you won’t even know it’s there.

Q. So did you see the results? How much junk did it pull out of the air?

A. Yes, we saw results! And you can too – here’s the filter after just one week – look at all those fuzzies – some of them overflowing and collecting in between the filter pads.

To think – that could have been in our nose, throat and lungs! We are so happy with the air purifier and truly believe its a wonderful addition to the health and wellness of your family.

Click here to learn about the Sharp Plasmacluster Air Purifier.


The Sharp Plasmacluster Air Purifier retails for $449.99 and can be purchased from reputable dealers nationwide. Click here to find a dealer near you.


Here’s your chance to breathe easier! One lucky Listen to Lena! reader will win a Sharp Plasmacluster Air Purifier (value $449.99). To enter, simply visit Sharp online and learn more about the product. Then, leave a comment here telling us about your favourite feature(s) of the Air Purifier.

You can also qualify for extra entries! Remember, you must leave a separate comment for each. You can:
(1) Visit Sharp online and pick out two (2) more products you’d love to have in your home. Then leave a comment here telling us what they are.
(2) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena!
(4) NEW Follow Listen to Lena! on Twitter
(5) Tweet daily about this giveaway: Please use this Sharp Air Purifier Giveaway Tweet.

I’ll draw for a winner on June 30th. Good luck everybody!

Reno-Giveaway #1: HP Photosmart e-Station

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

When it came time to re-do our home office, I had but three wishes:

1) Go wireless. I hate wires! They’re so messy and in addition to presenting a fire hazard, they’re not child-friendly at all. Plus, portability is a major factor when you’ve got two laptops, two children and about fourteen potential blogging locations (bathroom floor included).

2) Keep it tidy. A lot easier to do when the wires are gone! Seriously, though, keeping an area clutter-free is one of my weak points. My husband likens me to a Tasmanian Devil, leaving a path of destruction everywhere I go (guess the kids do take after me!). So I’ve had to work extra hard to stay clean and organized.

3. Multitask. I’m a busy gal. I measure my days in productivity: how many blog posts were written, how many dishes were done, how many Duct Cleaning telemarketer calls were avoided. I live for the words “All in One”.

Therefore the new HP Photosmart e-Station All in One Printer suits me very well, indeed.

The state-of-the-art HP Photosmart eStation All-in-One is the perfect device to keep your family connected. Beyond being a fabulous all in one printer, copier, scanner and fax, the e-Station also boasts the HP Zeen; a detachable, 7-inch, full-colour wireless companion that allows you to browse and print the web, watch movies, read books and listen to music.

(I know. Totally awesome, right?)

So essentially, in between printing documents (which is absolutely seamless – read below), I can take my Zeen tablet with me to check my Facebook, read e-books, watch videos and much, much more. I frequently use the companion when I’m hanging out in the back with the kids – much more user-friendly than a tiny phone screen, and much less bulky than a laptop – it’s the perfect way to stay connected. 

Upping the WOW! factor is the ability to download apps for the whole family. With partners like Kraft, Mapquest and Disney, you can print coupons for your shopping list, search a map for that out-of-town party, and bookmark activities to keep your kids entertained – all without using a PC.

It gets better. 

First and foremost, the HP Photosmart e-Station is a printer. But it’s light years ahead of your standard inkjet:  HP ePrint lets you print and share your favorite family memories anywhere, anytime. Each web-connected printer has a unique email address, meaning you can send photos and documents from any email-enabled device. This means that you can print at your convenience – whether it’s across the room, or across town!

Think about it: You’re out at the park. Snap a pic on your mobile phone, and e-mail it to the e-Station; the high quality picture will be printed and waiting for you upon your return! You can also have the office, your friends, family (or yourself!) e-mail documents straight to the printer. It’s truly a breeze!

And the quality? Superb, of course. Remember my little DIY project for Ryder’s Room? Here’s my sequence of events:

1. In the basement, surfing the Internet on my HP Zeen.
2. Found a picture I thought would be fun to frame, as it matched the theme of the room.
3. Sent the picture to my HP e-Station.
4. Played with my boys. Went grocery shopping. Ate dinner. Tucked boys in bed.
4. Picked up my print from the printer; mounted in on cardstock, framed it.

And THAT’s why having a Photosmart printer totally rocks.

In the mood to get away? From June 1st through 30th, visit HP Canada on Facebook for their HP Print Away contest! One lucky winner will win a 7-day, all-inclusive trip to a tropical destination, and TEN lucky participants will have the chance to win the HP Photosmart eStation! Link on over for full contest details!


Shop HP’s online store for all the latest HP products. The HP Photosmart e-Station retails for $399 – which, of course, goes a long way when you consider it’s six products in one!


HP Canada has generously offered Listen to Lena! readers the chance to win an HP Photosmart e-Station! (Value $399). To enter, simply visit HP online and pick out another item that would make your life a lot easier. Then, leave a comment here telling us about it, and why.

You can also qualify for extra entries! Remember, you must leave a separate comment for each. You can:

(1) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena!
(2) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(3) NEW Follow Listen to Lena! on Twitter
(4) “Like” HP Canada on Facebook
(5) Follow HP_PC on Twitter
(6) Tweet daily about this giveaway: Please use this HP e-Station Giveaway Tweet.

I’ll draw for a winner on June 30th. Good luck everybody!