Tag Archives: Mommy Ramblings

Luma Comfort HC12B Humidifier Review-Give Dry Winter Air The Boot

Luma Comfort Logo

With winter weather comes dry air, dry skin and chapped lips.  This can make us very uncomfortable and even miserable.  If you get sick with the cold or flu  and have a cough, dry air in your home can have you losing sleep by exacerbating the issue and have you up coughing all night.  Dry winter air can cause stuffy sinuses, make allergies worse and lead to headaches.  We need to replace the moisture in the air.

I just went through this recently in my home.  I had a very bad bout with a sinus infection and then a cough that kept me up almost every night for over a week as a result.  I could literally feel my nasal passages and throat drying up while I was trying to sleep, my cough got worse and I woke up with a terrible sore throat and laryngitis.  I had to get some moisture in the air and fast.

Enter the Luma Comfort HC12B ultrasonic cool mist humidifier.  Now, this humidifier not only keeps the air moist and comfortable, it looks great!  Available in black or white it has a sleek and slim vase design that  just fits in with home decor.  Designed to cover rooms up tp 650 square feet make it perfect for medium and large rooms.

Luma Comfort Piano

This humidifier was so easy to get up and running right out of the box.

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My husband filled the tank up, screwed the demineralization cartridge into the water tank cover and then screwed the cover on.

Luma Comfort fill

Luma Comfort Filter

Luma Comfort Assembly

You let sit it for a few minutes and then plug in.  You can use the attachments to create 3 different height settings so it will be the perfect height whether you place the unit on the floor or table.

Luma Comfort Assembly 1

 

Luma Comfortr Short

 

Luma Comfort med

 

Luma Comfort Tall

When you turn it on a musical chime will sound and that means the unit is in standby mode.  Press the power button and the unit will turn on at the lowest setting.  To increase the mist volume you just press and hold the power button and you will hear the musical tone which lets you know that it is increasing.  A visual changing of the light from blue to white will also signal that the mist volume is increasing toward the highest level.

Luma Comfort button

Luma Comfort mist

 

Decreasing the volume once it has reached the highest  setting is easy too. Press the power button, the musical chime will sound and the light will change from white to blue as it cycles back to the lowest setting.  If you find the ideal setting, the unit will remember and as long as it is not unplugged, will return to that setting when turned on.  Unplugging the unit returns it to the default settings.  The humidifier also comes with a matching remote control that operates the unit up to 65 feet away.  When the tank is low on water it will beep and if not filled the light on the front will blink red until the tank is filled.  On its lowest setting it will run for 45 continuous hours.This humidifier operates with a demineralization cartridge that lets you use any kind of water.  Distilled water will keep the unit running in peak condition longer and eliminate white dust.

I just love this humidifier!  From the first day I used this, I could feel a difference.  It helped me breath better, I didn’t  feel like my nasal passages were dry and my cough was so much better.  Since using it, I have not noticed the sinus pressure and pain that I suffered with for so long.  It truly does eliminate dust particles and the table I have it on usually shows dust like crazy but since placing the humidifier on it, there is no visible dust! I had the humidifier on its highest setting for these pictures because I really want to get rid of the dry air as quickly as possible.  Once the air quality was better I used it on a lower setting. If you are looking for something to improve the air quality in your home, take a look at the Luma Comfort HC12B ultrasonic cool mist humidifier.  I am certain that you will be breathing a lot easier if you do.


You can see more of the great Luma Comfort product line on their website and follow them on Facebook and  Twitter.

 

Luma Comfort final


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Filed under Baby, Baby Gear, Health, Home, Home Improvement, Main Page Post, Mommy Ramblings, Review

Our Trip To The Big Apple Circus In Lincoln Center To See Metamorphosis

Big Apple Circus Metamorposis

A couple of weeks ago, on Saturday, we went to New York City for the last Saturday performance of The Big Apple Circus in Lincoln Center.  The theme of the show was Metamorphosis and it was a spectacular show.  It was an entirely different show than 2 years ago when we saw them in Lincoln Center and it was filled with fun, death-defying acts and adorable animals.  My kids were wide-eyed during the entire performance and my husband and I were just as amazed.

 

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The Big Apple Circus not only impresses with their stupendous performers, but in the way they treat their animals, the way they give back to the community and how they help bring laughter to sick children and the elderly.  They even have Autism Friendly shows.

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circus 1

 

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Francesco, The Musical Clown is the first performer to see and he gets right in the audience supposedly searching for his seat.  He keeps us entertained throughout the circus and is absolutely hysterical.  The quick change Smirnov Duo still has my husband and I shaking our heads with how they do what they did.  We saw it but it does not seem possible.  There were many performances that had us asking, “How did they do that?”  Trapeze artists, contortionists, jugglers and amazing feats of all kinds has us still talking. Ringmaster, John Kennedy Kane keeps us on top of everything under the big top.  If you get a chance to attend, you should, it will make memories for a lifetime.

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circs 4

Check out the cities and dates to see if there is a performance near you.  You can buy tickets HERE and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.  You can check out more pictures from our trip to the circus on  Instagram

BRIDGEWATER, NJ

 

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Circus 9

Circus 10

Did you see Metamorphosis from The Big Apple Circus?  If so, I would love to hear where and what you thought.  Please let me know in the comments.

 

Disclosure: As a USFG Blogger I was provided with complimentary tickets to the performance but as always my views and words are 100% my own.

big apple circus metamorphosis, curtain


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Batching Errands For The Win With Walmart & Pennzoil #DropShopAndOil

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.#DropShopAndOil #CollectiveBias

#DropShopAndOil-Pennzoil Collage

I just finished creating the curriculum for a course I am teaching at SoFabU in Mastering Time Management.  One of the tips in the course is batching your errands.  I really don’t know anywhere I can batch more diverse errands than at a Walmart Supercenter.  It’s almost like a contest for me of how many things can be taken care of in one trip.  This past Saturday I dropped my van off at the Walmart Automotive Care Center and did a #DropShopAndOil.

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#DropShopAndOil Hours

With the holidays behind us, it was time to catch up with some needed maintenance tasks on the vehicle that carries my family around all year.  An oil change with Pennzoil motor oil was the first thing on the agenda.  So driving the van around the back of the store to the Automotive Care Center entrance was the first step.  We then entered and stepped up to the counter to pick the service we wanted.   Penzoil 8

We had a very helpful associate named who assisted us and helped us pick the best Pennzoil motor oil for our van.

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Penzoil 6

All Pennzoil products help clean out sludge lesser oils leave behind. Pennzoil is engineered for complete protection that will allow you to drive an extra 550 miles per year vs a dirty engine. No other motor oil provides better protection from friction.

With the help of our associate we chose the High Mileage Vehicle Pennzoil and it helps reduce leaks and oil consumption in higher mileage engines.  It is specifically designed for new or late-model vehicles with over 75,000 miles, to help keep the engines running clean and going strong for a long time.  Walmart Auto Care Center Oil Changes are a lot less than I would pay at the dealership, so I save time and money!  Our Walmart Auto Care Center is open 7 days a week making it super convenient.

With our van in good hands, it was off to get the little guy a hair cut!

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Then of course we took a stroll through the toy department for some great shark theme toys.  Can you tell his newest interest is sharks?

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Penzoil 5

After that, off to grocery shop.

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After checking out our groceries, we went back to the Automotive Care Center to pick up our van.

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Starting on 1/21/15 you can save $5 off one 5-quart bottle of Pennzoil Platinum with PurePlus Technology. Click HERE For the Special Offer!  Hair cut, grocery shopping, and a well needed oil change with Pennzoil in one trip!  That is power batching errands for the win!  I would love to hear about your most successful batching errands adventures, leave  a comment letting me know!


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Stop Posting “FML” Statuses!!!

It's just a bad day not a bad lifeNothing gets under my skin more than “FML” statuses that people post.  In fact I hate them so much, that as I go through my Facebook Feed and just quickly read them, I have to stop and say a prayer that lets God know I was just reading that and didn’t say that myself about my life.

I know to most of you that probably sounds crazy or silly, but it’s the truth.  The biggest reason I despise it is that it’s often said about very trivial things.  You know like asking for no mayo on your burger and getting one with mayo.  Sometimes it could be something more, say your car skidding on ice even though you did not hit anyone else or receive any injuries. That should not have a “FML” status but a “Thank God” or “Life is Good” status.

There are so many people struggling just to live, those with life-threatening illnesses, who are in pain and still fighting with every ounce of strength left to make it another day.  They are not posting “FML” statuses, they know how precious” life is and they are thankful for every minute.  To post a status that you missed the bus or were late to work with “FML” is just crapping on your life. Maybe it was destiny that you missed that bus, perhaps getting on that bus would have led to something very bad for you.  I believe every thing happens for a reason so if you didn’t catch the bus, try to look at it in a different way. Value your life no matter how hard it may seem at times. Never think it’s not worth it, because you need to remember there are people all over, who would trade places with you in a heartbeat.  Parents who have to stand by helplessly while their child takes their last breath, moms who have to say goodbye to their families way before their time, dads who will never get to show their son how to shave.

Life is precious, life is fragile, life is fleeting, please don’t put such little value on yours.  Cherish your life instead.  I am not saying you can’t post about having a bad day or something bad happening.  Of course you can share that and get some encouragement and hugs from friends.  It’s just the “FML” that you need to lose.  In the words of Max Ehrmann, “With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.”

 

Max Ehrmann-Life quote


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Filed under Life, Life Stages, Main Page Post, Mommy Ramblings, Ramblings & Rants

Kyocera Vertical, Double Edge Peeler Review & Giveaway

Kyocera double edge peeler

Kyocera Advanced Ceramics Vertical Peeler is a great peeler for any size hand.  The ergonomic handle fits comfortably and securely whether your hands are small or large or left or right-handed.

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Peeler 1

The handle allows you to peel in a vertical style.  Easy care, just pop the peeler in the dishwasher.  The peeler’s vertical blade is made from advanced ceramic and it is super sharp and stays that way 10 times longer than steel blades. It is so easy to peel vegetables because the optimal cutting angle just glides right through foods effortlessly.  The blade will not rust or corrode ever! The ceramic blade also will not brown foods or transfer a metallic taste or smell.

Peeler 2

My husband tried this peeler out and loves it.  So easy to peel any type of fruit or vegetable and the ceramic blade is so much cleaner and more sanitary than metal.  The sharp red color makes it easy to locate the peeler in a drawer.  If you are in the market for a new peeler, do yourself a favor and check out the Vertical, Double Edge Peeler from Kyocera Advanced Ceramics.

 Enter Our Giveaway To Win A Kyocera Peeler!!!

Kyocera is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a Kyocera Vertical, Double Edge Peeler! Thank you to Kyocera Advanced Ceramics  for the review product and for sponsoring this awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Kyocera, Vertical, Double Edge, Ceramic Blade Peeler Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Filed under Baking, Cooking, Giveaway, Home, Kitchen, Main Page Post, Mommy Ramblings, Review

KUHN-RIKON, Collapsible Colander Review & Giveaway!!!

Kuhn-Rikon-Logo

Are you trying to streamline your kitchen and free up space?  It seems in January everyone starts thinking about organizing and clearing out clutter.  A colander is something no kitchen should be without but they can be awkward, bulky and take up a lot of space.  That’s why I really like the Kuhn-Rikon Small Collapsible Colander.  The sturdy silicone colander is ready in a second to handle your rinsing and straining needs but when its work is done, it collapses into a flat disc shape that can be stored in any drawer or cabinet with ease.

The colanders come in two bright, fun colors and sizes.  They are BPA free and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

 

Kuhn Rikon Collapsible Colander

 

Kuhn Rikon Colander

Kuhn-Rikon is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a Kuhn-Rikon Small Collapsible Colander! Thank you to Kuhn-Rikon  for the review product and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

 

Kuhn-Rikon Collapsible Colander Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Reduce, WaterWeek Villa, 5 Day Water Bottle Set Review & Giveaway!!!

reduce Logo

Do you want to reduce your carbon footprint? Reduce the amount of plastic from ending up in landfills?  WaterWeek™ offers the ONLY true solution to end the costly and wasteful purchasing of bulk bottled water without giving up convenience. Just fill, chill & go!™  WaterWeek™ makes it easy and economical for consumers to reduce the millions of bottles that end up in  landfills every day.

The WaterWeek Villa set is colorful and fun.  If you lose a cap you can buy a set of four for under $3 and if you want to change to a push/pull lid, they sell a set of four for under $5.  The bottles are BPA Free, hold 16 oz., dishwasher safe and the set comes with a free fridge tray to hold your bottles neatly and compactly in your fridge.  So what are you waiting for? Ditch the Disposables!

 

 

reduce water week

 

water week

 

Water Week 1

 

 

Reduce is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a WaterWeek Villa 5 Day Water Bottle Set! . Thank you to Reduce  for the review product and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

 

Reduce, WaterWeek Villa, 5 Day Water Bottle Set Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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How To Survive Winter Travel With Kids & Safety 1st, Advance SE 65 Air + Convertible Car Seat Giveaway!!!

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The holidays may be over but Winter travel is in full swing.  As the temps get colder many families decide to motor south for some fun in the sun and escape the winter chill.  Schools seem to know this too and many have a winter break carved out for families to do just this.

I thought this post from Safety 1st Consumer Safety Experts on “How to Survive The Holiday With Kids?” would be applicable for any kind of family getaway this winter season.  After reading, be sure and enter the giveaway to win a Safety 1st, Advance SE 65 Air + Convertible Car Seat!

safety 1st-St. Germain Car SEat- Winter Travel

According to AAA last year 94.5 million people were on the roads, train tracks or in the skies during the holiday season.  That’s a lot of people! Then add your own kids into the mix of congestion and for some it can mean holiday headaches.  However, Safety 1st has some tips to help fight some of those headaches this season.

 

1.      Avoid peak travel days –Try not to fly or drive the days immediately before and after the actual holiday.  Those are the busiest travel days. However, if you fly or take a train you might save money by traveling on the actual holiday, the roads are less congested too.

 

2.      Prepare your child for the trip – Holiday parties can be overwhelming with sensory overload.  Especially for young children it’s good to talk about the upcoming trip days even weeks in advance.  This will help him or her get excited about the journey.  Show photos of family members or friends your child has not met yet, this way the new face might be a little familiar on arrival. 

 

3.       “Are we there yet?” – To help avoid that dreaded phrase an hour into your six-hour trip reserve a bag just for the kids, include books, toys, diapers a change of clothes and snacks.  Pre-load a tablet or smartphone with kid friendly apps or games. If you are driving keep all necessary items such as wipes, hand sanitizer or tissues easy to reach in a second – there are times you may not want to be digging through the bottom of a bag for such items. The Safety 1st Car Door Sanitation Station is a great solution.

 

4.      Car Seats – If you are flying check to make sure your car seat is FAA certified. If it’s not clearly labeled contact the manufacture. For parents with older children the Safety 1st BoostAPack can double as a kid survival kit, it’s FAA certified, and will fit in the plane overhead bin.

 

If you are driving make sure your car seat is installed correctly. If it’s been awhile since you visited a car seat check, it’s recommended to check your seat with a Certified Child Safety Technician in advance of your trip. Safercar.gov is a great resource.

 

5.      Prepare the guest room – If your child will be sleeping in a Play Yard during the trip, use that for bed or nap time the entire week before. This will help him or her get used to a new sleep environment.  Also if your infant or child sleeps better in a dark room or tends to wake up early with the morning light, bring garbage bags or dark fabric to tape over windows.

 

Safety 1st is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win an Advance SE 65 Air + Convertible Car Seat! . Thank you  for the review product and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

safety 1st-St. Germain Car SEat

 

Safety 1st, Advance SE 65 Air + Convertible Car Seat Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Filed under Baby, Baby Gear, Family, Giveaway, Health, Holiday, Main Page Post, Mommy Ramblings, Toddler

Play Doh Ruined Christmas? Parents Say Sweet Shoppe Cake Mountain Playset’s Penis Shaped Extruder is Obscene!!!

Play Doh Sweet-Shoppe-Playset

My Facebook feed was filled the last day or so all about some obscene Play Doh toy that is included in the Play-Doh Sweet Shoppe Cake Mountain Playset. Apparently the tool that is supposed to be used for cake decorating to dispense icing resembles another type of tool.  Reports of  outraged parents who claim the playset with its phallic shaped icing dispenser looks like a penis and is inappropriate for children.  The two-part icing extruder’s picture has been blasted all over Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and more.  There are even reports that Hasbro removed parent comments on their Facebook page which outraged the already furious parents even more.

play doh sweet shoppe cake mountain Playset

In a statement posted on their Facebook page Tuesday, Hasbro said, “We have heard some consumer feedback about the extruder tool in the Play-Doh Cake Mountain playset and are in the process of updating all future Play-Doh products with a different tool. Should any consumer want a replacement extruder for this item, they can contact Hasbro’s Customer Service Department at 800-327-8264.”

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Play Doh Extruder-Penis-Shaped-Toy

If you look on Amazon the Playset is still available for sale and people are scooping up the playsets for collectibles.  The reviews on Amazon are mostly tongue in cheek and make references to the extruder like the ones below:

My wife is never giving this back to the kids

By et on December 31, 2014

It loses a star because while I got this for the kids (and they loved the IDEA of it once they tore off the wrapping paper), my wife has been keeping the ‘shoppe’ for her own use. In fact she’s been in our spare bedroom playing with it all day. When I call through the door to ask when she’s going to be coming out, she keeps telling me she’s off to a good start but she hasn’t ‘finished.’ I just hope next time I get in on the action. Meanwhile, the kids are just heartbroken that their toy is now mama’s toy. Play-Doh’s marketing department really screwed the pooch on this one.

Extruder is elegantly designed and titillatingly fun!

By Mike on December 31, 2014
Product Packaging: Standard Packaging

Great fun for young and old! For some reason, the extruder keeps turning up missing. But luckily my wife always ends up finding it. The Play-Doh always comes out of the ribbed extruder with a nice creamy texture. Caution: Don’t push in and out on the extruder too fast or hard, or it will release its contents way too soon.
Sometimes an extruder is just an extruder, January 1, 2015
By Sabriel
 This review is from: Play-Doh Sweet Shoppe Cake Mountain Playset (Toy)
Sometimes a toy is just a toy and not a Dil-Doh. If you like to make pretend cakes, then this is the toy for you. If you like to project your insecurities onto your offspring, this might also be the toy for you!
You can read more reviews HERE.

 

Love to hear you sound off on this.  Did Santa stuff your stocking or pack your tree with the Play Doh Sweet Shoppe Cake Mountain Playset?  What do you think? Are parents justified to claim this toy ruined their Christmas?  Do you think the design was intentionally and designed by an employee wanting to screw with their boss (no pun intended, oh maybe I did intend on using the pun lol).  Let us know what you think in the comments!


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Join Us For Peter Walsh’s 31 Days 2 Get Organized 2015!!! #31Days2GetOrganized

I am so excited!  I love Peter Walsh! He is such an inspiration for releasing the “stuff” that holds us back.  The other day I saw that he was asking us to recruit someone for  ‪#‎31Days2GetOrganized‬  for 2015!  I recruited a good friend,  then I thought more about it.  Why don’t we all do this?  I think it will be a lot of fun if we all come together and let go of things we are hanging on to that are truly weighing us down.  What a wonderful way to make a slow month like January much more fun and productive!  So I am recruiting all of you!  Please join me in the 31 Days 2 Get Organized with Peter Walsh.

If you have never heard of Peter Walsh and I can’t imagine anyone that hasn’t, but if you are in the dark about who he is and what he does, just click the video below to get to know him.

 

I want to make things really exciting so I created a closed Facebook group just for this.  The closed group means that even your most cluttered closet is safe with us and there will be no judging or negativity.  The link for the group is here and you can join now.  In the group you will post your before and afters of the 31, ten minute challenges Peter will dole out each day.  We can work to encourage and keep everyone accountable.  I hope you will all join in this with me.

Peter has a New Year Message for us here:

Peter Walsh please join our Facebook Group so you can see our progress.  Are you ready for the challenge?  I sure am!  Comment here and let me know you are up to the challenge and recruit someone to come along.

If you are chomping at the bit to get started you can work on this until Monday January 5th! I know you were so excited to start tomorrow but Peter says it officially starts on January 5th! Don’t worry take his advice and get your family and friends on board and in the meantime join the group and get aquainted. If you just can’t wait, you can get a head start on the challenge with Peter Walsh: 15 Declutter Projects for a Saner You.  Of course follow Peter on Facebook and YouTube so you don’t miss a thing!

 


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