LG Kompressor Vacuum Review & Giveaway

I have always loved LG products.  My phone and my parents washer and dryer are LG but I never knew LG made vacuum cleaners.  When I was asked to review LG’s new LuV300B Kompressor Vacuum – LG’s first line of vacuum cleaners in the U.S. market- I was ecstatic!!  First off, it's LG so I figured it had to be awesome.  Then I started reading about the vacuum and I was so impressed with all of it's many features.

The vacuum arrived quickly and was packaged very nice.  There were only a few pieces to put together and I had no problem doing this myself.  I have owned a Rainbow, Kirby & have used a Dyson.  Let me start by saying the LG Kompressor is my favorite vacuum EVER!  There is no water, no bags, no heads to switch and the power on this thing is amazing!!

It Cleans Better

 • LG’s patented Kompressor® technology utilizes the world’s first motorized compression system to compress dust intake and hold three times more household dust than non-compressor models.

 • With DualForce™ suction technology, two additional air pathways pick up dirt from both sides of the vacuum head in addition to the traditional center section, enabling users to capture dust and debris over a wide surface area and in hard-to-reach edges.

This vacuum picks up things a regular vacuum just can't get.  I get some nasty things stuck on my carpet (gotta love kids!) and the Kompressor sucked them up no problem where with a regular vacuum I would be trying to pull and scrape it off my carpet.  You don't have to go over and over an area and you would be amazed at how much dirt (and other junk) this vacuum can hold!  I love not having to dump it so often.

It’s More Efficient

• For those with children, there is a compartment designed to capture toys and other items that may accidentally be vacuumed up while cleaning in a separate area away from any dust/debris for easy recovery.

I can't tell you all of the things I have vacuumed up before & there was NO WAY I would go dig for them!!  I accidentally vacuumed up a penny with the Kompressor and was pleasantly surprised to find it nice and clean in a separate little compartment.  This should be standard on all vacuums :o)

• LG’s versatile Click 'N Go™ wand detaches from the base, providing up to 15 feet of additional reach for easier cleaning of stairs, upholstery, and other out-of-the-way areas.



• A built in RF™ (radio-frequency) control allows users to adjust power and settings conveniently from the Click ‘N Go wand without going back to the base.


• The LuV300B features an extra-long 40-foot cord making it easier to clean a larger area in less time without having to switch outlets multiple times to reach the entire space.

LG put so much thought into every detail of this vacuum-  It is well designed and constructed.  As a busy mom this is the perfect vacuum.  A wand that attaches from the vacuum (very easily) and has a great attachment for cleaning stairs and other smaller areas.  You can turn the vacuum on and off from this handle when you are using it- You do not have to go back to the vacuum.  The long cord is one of my favorite things.  I hate vacuuming and being halfway done to have the cord come unplugged.  I have not had that problem with this vacuum, it can reach!  I think this vacuum was designed just for the busy mom (which makes it great for everyone!). 

It Reduces Exposure to Allergens

 • The LuV300B is certified asthma & allergy friendly™ by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).


 • The vacuum’s powerful engine also provides superior suction power, picking up 99 percent of dust on hard floor surfaces and 70 percent of dust on carpets, while its HEPA filter captures 99.97 percent of allergens such as dust mites and pet dander.

No one in my immediate family suffers from allergies but my mom and sister are both allergic to my cat who has 7 kittens.  It is nice to know that this vacuum is keeping my house cleaner by capturing the pet dander. 

 Comes with a Stylish Design

 • The sleek styling and eye-catching Riviera Blue finish is sure to complement the décor of any home.

I love the look of this vacuum.  Some vacuums are still ugly but not the Kompressor. 

Included Accessories

Telescopic Aluminum Wand

Additional Foam Pre-Filter

Pet Hair Turbine Tool

Crevice 2 in 1 (Upholstery Tool and Dusting Brush)

 

When I first used the vacuum I was surprised at how light it was to move.  When I turned it on it got significantly heavier (not too much though!).  This was just the power of the vacuum on high.  My sister commented on how my carpet looked clean and it was still picking up dirt/debris.  The vacuum is very simple to empty.  You put it over a garbage and push a button and it dumps.  I have not found anything I did not like about this vacuum.  LG did an amazing job with the Kompressor!






<center><a href=" http://www.wishnonstars.com/2010/09/lg-kompressor-vacuum-review-giveaway.html"><img border="0" src=" http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j56/ashlesmommy/lgcontestbutton-1.jpg"/></a></center>

BUY IT:  You can purchase LG's vacuums online at Amazon, at Home Depot, Best Buy, Sears, etc. 

WIN IT:  The awesome people at LG are giving away a Kompressor to one of my lucky readers!! ARV $419
 ~Rules~1. Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above
2. You must do the mandatory entry, if you do not complete this additional entries WILL NOT count
3. Leave 1 comment for each entry including e-mail and/or link (ie if you blog about this for 3 entries you need to leave 3 comments) ~Mandatory~

1.Visit LG & let me know another product you would love to have or did not know LG made

2. Let me know your favorite thing about the Kompressor

~Additional Entries~1. "Like" LG on Facebook (1 entry-leave a comment with your fb id)
2."Like" The Simple Things on Facebook (1 entry-leave a comment with your fb id)
3. Follow The Simple Things on Twitter (1 entry-leave a comment with your twitter id)
4. Post the Kompressor giveaway button on your blog (3 entries-leave a comment with link.  This must stay on your page until the giveaway is over)
5. Subscribe to The Simple Things (1 entry-must verify email)
6. Blog about this giveaway with a link back to The Simple Things and LG (3 entries- leave link) 
7.  Facebook, and/or Tweet about this giveaway (1 entry each-must leave link)  Feel free to use:
I entered to win LG's new vacuum @ashlesmommy07 ARV $419 ends 10-1 #giveaway http://alturl.com/r9fh2
8. Follow me on GFC (1 entry)
9. Enter one of my other giveaways (2 entries, past giveaways do not count)

This contest will end Friday, October 1, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. PST. The winner will be chosen using random.org. Winners will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If the winner(s) do not claim their prize in the 48 hour period, a new winner(s) will be chosen at random

Disclaimer: I did not receive any form of cash for this review and this is written based on my own honest opinion (other people opinions may vary). I was provided with the LG Kompressor to be reviewed but this does not affect my review and opinion of the product(s)

Jari Love Get RIPPED! DVD's Review & Giveaway

I have really had trouble finding the motivation to work out.  I know this is just going to get worse as it gets colder and I don't want to go outside :o(  I have tried workout DVD's before but too often they are just BORING.  It is hard to do them after the first time, they have horrible music or even worse, none at all.  When I am stuck inside working out I need something upbeat that will keep me motivated.

For myself and the many more out there that I know feel the same Jari Love's new fast paced, exciting DVD's are the perfect solution.  The Get RIPPED! DVD series is awesome!

Certified personal trainer, Jari Love is the creator of the Get RIPPED! full body workout system- a multiphase, no-nonsense fully body workout system designed to help people of any fitness level shed unwanted pounds in just weeks.  The Get RIPPED! series Get RIPPED! series enables individuals to burn up to three times more calories than the traditional weight-training program. 

I was sent the above DVD's for review.  Jari does a wonderful job explaining what each routine consists of making it easy to follow along.  Each DVD contains numerous workouts for targeting different areas.  I love putting in 1 DVD and getting a full body workout.  Depending on your level you are able to follow along with or without weights.  I did the program without weights and still got an amazing cardio workout.  

These DVD's work well from beginners all the way to those who are more advanced.  I know I will not get bored of these as there will be something new I can add in/try as I continue to become more fit.  These DVD's contain workouts that will have you burning up to 1000 calories in 1 hour!!  Between the high-intensity resistance and the cardio workout it has been proven that this keeps your metabolism elevated for hours after you are finished!

I loved that these are not cheesy, boring DVD's that get used once and then are forgotten about.  Jari does such a great job keeping your interest while giving you an excellent workout!  It is so nice as a mother to be able to turn this on at home and get such a high intensity workout.  I don't have the time to go to a gym and now I don't have the need.  These DVD's are something my husband can do with me and still get a workout from which is an added bonus. 

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

A workout Step is optional for all the Ripped workouts.

Free Weights or Body Weight.

• Absolute Beginners: May start by using your own body weight. (This is what I have done so far)
• Beginners: 2 sets of dumbbells. 2-5 pounds for females and 3-8 pounds for males.
• Intermediate: 2 sets of dumbbells. 3-8 pounds for females and 4-10 pounds for males.
• Advanced: 2 sets of dumbbells or a barbell. 6-8 pounds for females and at least 8-10 pounds for males.

BUY IT:  You can purchase Jari Love Get Ripped! workout DVD's along with apparel and other fitness products HERE

WIN IT:  One LUCKY winner will receive a complete set of DVD's (the same DVD's I reviewed above) to keep you fit this fall/winter! :o)  ARV $104.96

~Rules~

1. Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above

2. You must do the mandatory entry, if you do not complete this additional entries WILL NOT count

3. Leave 1 comment for each entry including e-mail and/or link (ie if you blog about this for 3 entries you need to leave 3 comments)

~Mandatory~: 
Visit Jari Love's site and let me know which product you would most like to try or your favorite thing about Jari's workouts

~Additional Entries~:

1. "Like" Jari Love on Facebook (1 entry-leave a comment with your fb id)

2."Like" The Simple Things on Facebook (1 entry-leave a comment with your fb id)

3. Follow The Simple Things on Twitter (1 entry-leave a comment with your twitter id)

4. Follow Jari Love on Twitter (1 entry-leave a comment with your fb id)

5. Subscribe to The Simple Things (2 entries-must verify email)

6. Blog, Facebook, and/or Tweet about this giveaway (2 entries each-must leave link)

7. Follow me on GFC (1 entry)

8. Enter one of my other giveaways (2 entries per giveaway entered, past giveaways do not count)

This contest will end Friday, September 24, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. PST. The winner will be chosen using random.org. Winners will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If the winner(s) do not claim their prize in the 48 hour period, a new winner(s) will be chosen at random

Disclaimer: I did not receive any form of cash for this review and this is written based on my own honest opinion (other people opinions may vary). I was provided with the DVD's above to be reviewed but this does not affect my review and opinion of the product(s)

Pierre The Penguin Book Review & Giveaway

I LOVE reading and so do my children.  With school starting I have to read to my daughter every day.  It is nice having new books to keep her from getting bored.  We were so excited to read Pierre The Penguin- A True Story.  This is one book I know my children will never get bored with.

Pierre The Penguin is a story told by By I Spy children’s author, Jean Marzollo.  It was released in April from the California Academy of Science.  This is the true story of Pierre, a little African penguin.  Pierre lost his feathers a few years back and had problems as he could not keep warm.  Biologist Pam Schaller came up with a great idea to keep him warm- a wet suit inspired by her dog's rain jacket.  This heart warming tale is told in rhyme.  It contains beautiful artwork and also has questions at the end of the book with answers from Pam. 

We have read this book as a family many times and there is something special we really enjoy.  You are able to view the Live Penguin Cam on the Academy’s website where you can watch Pierre and other penguins!!  You are also able to visit the California Academy of Sciences where you can view the penguins in real life (I wish we lived closer!!)

This is a great family book that can be purchased from Amazon.

WIN IT

One of my lucky readers will win a copy of Pierre the Penguin

~Rules~
1. Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above
2. You must do the mandatory entry
3. Leave 1 comment for each entry including e-mail and/or link (ie if you blog about this for 3 entries you need to leave 3 comments)

~Mandatory~:  Let me know something you have learned about California Academy of Sciences

~Additional Entries~:
1. "Like" California Academy of Sciences on Facebook (1 entry-leave a comment with your fb id)
2."Like" The Simple Things on Facebook (1 entry-leave a comment with your fb id)
3. Follow The Simple Things on Twitter (1 entry-leave a comment with your twitter id)
4. Follow California Academy of Sciences on Twitter (1 entry-leave a comment with your fb id)
5. Subscribe to The Simple Things (2 entries-must verify email)
6. Blog, Facebook, and/or Tweet about this giveaway (2 entries each-must leave link)
7. Follow me on GFC (1 entry)
8. Enter one of my other giveaways (2 entries per giveaway entered, past giveaways do not count)

This contest will end Friday, September 17, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. PST. The winner will be chosen using random.org. Winners will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If the winner(s) do not claim their prize in the 48 hour period, a new winner(s) will be chosen at random

Disclaimer: I did not receive any form of cash for this review and this is written based on my own honest opinion (other people opinions may vary). I was provided with one book to be reviewed but this does not affect my review and opinion of the product(s)

Bendaroos Review & Giveaway

Bendaroos® flexible building sticks provide kids with a unique way to express their creativity. These reusable building sticks, made from colored string coated with a special wax, let children play and expand their imaginations for hours. Bendaroos® building sticks adhere to virtually every household surface, and are easily removed to be used again and again!

I was super excited to find out we would be getting a chance to review Bendaroos.  My daughter has wanted these for a long time but they are just something we had never got around to purchasing.  Now I wish I would have bought these a LONG TIME AGO!  They provide hours of fun.  We received the Bendaroos 500 piece set.  This set comes with 250 rainbow & 250 neon Bendaroos, 10 traceable templates and simple to use fun guide with step by step instructions on how to make your favorite creations.  The two pictures below show us playing with them and a ladybug we made. 

These are perfect for back to school!!  I love having something to keep my daughter entertained after school other than sitting in front of the TV all day.  Bendaroos really bring out their creativity!  I love that they can be used over, and over and over.  Bendaroos do not leave a mess or any sticky residue which is awesome.

Bendaroos has a lot of great new kits coming out this fall.  We can't wait to try the new ones and a few on our must have list include glow in the dark and Bendaroos Creativity Center-

Bendaroos® Glow-in-the-Dark Mega Pack

Bendaroos® building sticks now come in fun, glow-in-the-dark styles perfect for kids’ sleepovers, camping trips, or playtime at home. The glow-in-the-dark sticks are made of the same durable, flexible material as the original Bendaroos® building sticks but come in cool glowing colors. The Bendaroos® Glow-in-the-Dark Mega Pack includes 250 glow and 250 rainbow-colored building sticks. (MSRP: $19.99; Available: Fall 2010)

Bendaroos® Creativity Center

Now kids can store and display their Bendaroos® building sticks creations for all to see with the Bendaroos® Creativity Center! The colorful platform allows kids to construct new models, showcase their favorite creations, and store spare Bendaroos® building sticks. The Bendaroos® Creativity Center features a rotating plate, four molding and shaping tools, three BendaModels™ for easy 3-D modeling, scissors, and 100 Bendaroos® building sticks. (MSRP: $19.99; Available: Fall 2010)

There are so many uses for Bendaroos including great gifts!  If you are like me and have thought about buying these but never got around to it I would definitely recommend getting some.  Your kids will love you (even more!)  You can also enter to win Bendaroos on Facebook- Until September 10th Bendaroos will be giving away 10 – 500 packs to 10 lucky winners each week!

Buy It:  Bendaroos can be purchased online HERE.

Win It: One lucky winner will win a 500 piece Bendaroo Set!!
~Rules~
1. Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above
2. You must do the mandatory entry
3. Leave 1 comment for each entry including e-mail and/or link (ie if you blog about this for 3 entries you need to leave 3 comments)

~Mandatory~:  Let me know which Bendaroo set your kids (or yourself) like the most

~Additional Entries~:
1. "Like" Bendaroos on Facebook (1 entry-leave a comment with your fb id)
2."Like" The Simple Things on Facebook (1 entry-leave a comment with your fb id)
3. Follow The Simple Things on Twitter (1 entry-leave a comment with your twitter id)
4. Subscribe to The Simple Things (2 entries-must verify email)
5. Blog, Facebook, and/or Tweet about this giveaway (2 entries each)
6. Follow me on GFC (1 entry)
7. Enter one of my other giveaways (2 entries per giveaway entered, past giveaways do not count)

This contest will end Friday, September 10, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. PST. The winner will be chosen using random.org. Winners will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If the winner(s) do not claim their prize in the 48 hour period, a new winner(s) will be chosen at random

Disclaimer: I did not receive any form of cash for this review and this is written based on my own honest opinion (other people opinions may vary). I was provided with a Bendaroo set to be reviewed but this does not affect my review and opinion of the product(s)

Enstrom's Toffee & Sock N Boots Share Winners

glitter-graphics.com

CONGRATULATIONS!!!  Thanks to all who entered and the wonderful sponsors :o)

Anonymous said.. "follow sponsor on twitter 9ziggy"

#29 buzzd said. "The mini turtles"

Winner's have been e-mailed.  Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen.  Thanks

Hampton Hotels – Chain of Friends Sweepstakes

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hampton Hotels. All opinions are 100% mine.






Hampton Chain of Friends Sweepstakes


Living in a small town in the middle of nowhere has caused many overnight stays at hotels (I'm not complaining!!)  Some of the best memories I have are of staying overnight at a hotel with my family.  I hope to create many of these same memories with my own children.  I also enjoy a nice short getaway minus the kids.  Sure they are missed but sometimes it is nice to get away with friends or my husband for a night or two. 

Hampton Hotels is currently offering a daily giveaway for a free weekend stay at any Hampton Hotel.  This giveaway includes a daily chance (100 winners) to win a weekend stay for you and three friends.  The grand prize is for the ENTIRE hotel for a weekend (100 rooms, 2 nights).  It is very simple to enter- Simple visit the Hampton Chain of Friends Sweepstakes page and fill in your information.

So of course I entered!!  If I won I would choose from the many Hampton Hotels located in Vegas and take my husband and sister.  It would be so nice to go stay somewhere relaxing a nice and have no responsibilities for a night or two ;o)  I love the fact that there are quite a few located there so we would be able to choose the best one for our location. 

You know you could use a nice weekend stay so go enter!!! :o)

Only The Good Spy Young- GG4 *Review & Giveaway*

Publisher: Hyperion

Release Date: June 29, 2010

When Cammie Morgan enrolled at the Gallagher Academy, she knew she was preparing for the dangerous life of a spy. What she didn’t know was that the serious, real-life danger would start during her junior year of high school. But that’s exactly what happened two months ago when she faced off against an ancient terrorist organization dead set on kidnapping her.

Now the danger follows her everywhere and even Cammie “The Chameleon” can’t hide. When a terrifying encounter in London reveals that one of her most-trusted allies is actually a rogue double-agent Cammie no longer knows if she can trust her classmates, her teachers—or even her own heart.



In this fourth installment of the New York Times best-selling series, the Gallagher Girls must hack, spy, steal, and lie their way to the truth as they go searching for answers, recognizing that the key to Cammie’s future may lie deep in the past....

Cammie is never without major security-  as a Gallagher Girl she is always in immediate danger and this is just a normal part of her life.  She is attending school at the Gallagher Academy for girls training to become a spy.  When her favorite teacher gives her a special message she is heart broken to find out he is considered to be "the enemy".  Not sure who to trust or believe, Cammie turns to her friends and finds her inner strength.  She fights to the very end never backing down, never giving up.  Who is really against her?  Who can she really trust?

This is such a fun book!  I honestly read it all in one afternoon.  Cammie is a great role model for young girls (the book is for ages 10 and up).  She has a boy "friend" but that is kept to a minimum and their relationship is never the main topic of the book.  I cannot wait until my daughter is old enough to read this & I really enjoyed it myself.

I am so happy to share some Q & A's from the amazing author of the Gallagher Girls Series- Ally Carter.  She is an amazing author and I really enjoyed her answers :o)

1) What are some trends in the type of female role models seen in recent YA fiction? Do you think that there is an adequate amount of YA fiction that encourages girls to be ambitious like The Gallagher Girls?

I have been talking a lot lately about the "Golden Age of Young Adult Fiction" that I think we're currently going through. Really, truly, I think the YA books that are making waves right now will be studied and read for many, many generations to come. There's just so much good stuff out there-and that, of course, includes great heroines.

It's almost impossible to talk about the fabulous books published within the last couple of years without mentioning the trend of smart "warrior girls" like Katniss from HUNGER GAMES or awesome masterminds like Frankie from E. Lockhart's brilliant THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANKIE LANDAU-BANKS.

These are the strong, ambitious female characters that are grabbing all the headlines, but beyond strong and ambitious I think it's important that all types of teens be depicted in teen fiction and not all teen girls want the same things-nor should they. Some want to take on the world and earn a place in history. Some teens have far more personal goals (finding love, being a good person, figuring out who you are).

Neither type is right and neither type is wrong. To me, what's important is that fiction features characters that want something and work toward some goal, and I feel that the breadth of teen fiction being published today covers that span quite nicely.

2) Your characters in The Gallagher Girls series seem relatively mature for their age, especially in how they handle their crushes on boys. What message do you think Cammie and her friends send readers in terms of how to prioritize and judge relationships with boys?

For the Gallagher Girls, the world is both very big and very small. Big in that they are being prepped for a global profession, so their interests and abilities extend far beyond the walls of their school and the borders of their town. When you spend most of your waking hours learning how to prevent nuclear war and overthrow dictators then whether or not you have a date to the big dance is an easy thing to keep in perspective.

But the flipside of that coin is that the girls are also very sheltered behind their stone walls and the physical world they live in is very small.

Boys are very much a mystery to them-something that has never appeared on any midterm. And one of the lessons that the girls have to learn is that boys are a part of life. Relationships are a part of life. And those are lessons that even the best school in the world can't teach you.

I hope that readers of the books take away both of those lessons: that relationships matter, but they are far from the only thing that does.

3) Now that you are a New York Times bestselling author of two hit series, what influences do you believe were most important in leading you to write for the YA genre? Why do you love what you do?

It seems as if once a week someone will ask me how I'm able to get into the mindset of a teenager-as if teens are some mythical creature and I'm on a scientific exploration to study them in their native habitat. The truth is, I'm a firm believer that teens and adults have the same basic fears, concerns, wants and needs the only difference is that, hopefully, as we age we become better at dealing with those same issues.

Teen writers, as a whole, I think are just people who get that on a deeper level. We're also, largely, teens at heart. We get to write about emotions that are the most raw, feelings that are the most intense. Time is like water, I really believe, and teens are just people.concentrated. It's a great blessing to get to write about life when it's the least watered-down.

4) How can parents instill a love for reading in their tweens and teens, and what can they do to position reading not just as important or required, but also a fun pastime?

First of all, parents who want to instill a love of reading in their children really have to walk the walk. That means making books available, first and foremost, and leading by example. There's nothing more frustrating that hearing a parent complain that their teen isn't a reader and then asking the parent "what's the last book you read" and hearing them say "well, I don't have time for reading."

Perhaps the greatest compliment I receive is when parents and teens tell me that they both enjoy my books-that they're able to talk about them and come to signings and have that shared interest. That, for me, is easily one of the best parts of the job.

Buy It:  Only the Good Spy Young can be purchased on Amazon.

Win It:  One lucky winner will win a Gallagher Girl Prize Package!!  This includes a signed copy of Only The Good Spy Young, a Gallagher Girls tote bag, a Gallagher Girls Hair Pin, a Signed Heist Society book, and a pair of Heist Society Sunglasses with a total package value of $60.97

~Rules~
1. Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above
2. You must do the mandatory entry
3. Leave 1 comment for each entry including e-mail and/or link (ie if you blog about this for 3 entries you need to leave 3 comments)

~Mandatory~:  Tell me your favorite thing about this book/series or author

~Additional Entries~:
1."Like" The Simple Things on Facebook (1 entry-leave a comment with your fb id)
2. Follow The Simple Things on Twitter (1 entry-leave a comment with your twitter id)
3. Subscribe to The Simple Things (2 entries-must verify email)
4. Blog, Facebook, and/or Tweet about this giveaway (2 entries each)
5. Follow me on GFC (1 entry)
6. Enter one of my other giveaways (2 entries per giveaway entered, past giveaways do not count)

This contest will end Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. PST. The winner will be chosen using random.org. Winners will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If the winner(s) do not claim their prize in the 48 hour period, a new winner(s) will be chosen at random

Disclaimer: I did not receive any form of cash for this review and this is written based on my own honest opinion (other people opinions may vary). I was provided with the GG4 book to be reviewed but this does not affect my review and opinion of the product(s)