Rave & Review

Earthmate PN-40 GPS by DeLorme - Geocaching, anyone?

Most people hear GPS and the first thing they think of is dash-mounted vehicle units to help guide you in the car.  I’m here to talk with you about GPS when your method of travel is by bike, foot and car.  The DeLorme Earthmate series handheld GPS are perfect for hiking, biking, boating and more, but what I’m really raving about is the world of possibilities a rugged and handheld GPS unit opens up for a family on the go.

By far the coolest thing about the PN-40 was that it introduced us to geocaching, and now has become our newest obsession.  For those of you who are not familiar with geocaching, it is my pleasure to acquaint you with the coolest pastime ever.  Geocachers all over the world hide little treasures and notes in just about any place there’s human access and then leave the GPS coordinates of their cache on sites like http://www.geocaching.com.  Unlike most hobbies that require large amounts of your disposable income, geocaching is free and the only equipment necessary is a handheld GPS unit like the DeLorme PN-40.

As well as being fairly inexpensive once you make the initial GPS investment, geocaching is quite addictive and has led us to do some crazy things.  Like hunting for treasure in the middle of the night with only flashlights to guide us, hence our geocaching alias, the Night Cachers.  My favorite caches are those with clues or hints that make you feel like a super sleuth when you finally find your treasure and makes the reward that much sweeter.  It’s a great activity for kids of all ages and adding to the fun of finding buried treasure is that a lot of caches are designed for you to swap items or add to the original cache, so your toy or knickknack is added to the booty for the next cachers to find.  It’s a great way to insist your little ones purge their collection of tiny toys that were so cool – but then only played with for a few minutes.   

What makes the PN-40 so great for geocaching are the maps that DeLorme makes available to you.  For $29 a year you have unlimited access to their database of maps in formats other GPS makers can’t even dream of, including NOAA marine charts, satellite imagery, high resolution aerial photos in black and white or color, and scanned USGS topo maps in 1:24,000 scale.  And best of all, you can layer the different types over one another just by clicking a box in the menu screen.  So if you are having trouble finding a particularly well hidden cache, you can just open up the aerial imagery you previously downloaded to your PN-40 and see a birds eye view of where you are, which is much easier than deciphering topo lines or the streets and blank spaces of typical GPS units. 

This feature can also help you learn how to read traditional maps better by combining a satellite image with a topographic map you can really see how the lines follow the contours of the land and get a much more full view of every hill and valley, and then in the future have a much clearer image of how maps translate to reality.  This makes it the perfect way to get kids interested and to help them learn to navigate on their own.  The new PN-40 also features a barometric altimeter and a built in compass that does not require you to hold the unit completely flat for it to work correctly.  These, in conjunction with the maps, make it virtually impossible to get lost.  Even when you’re trying to.

If you feel you don’t need all the extra maps, fear not, the PN-40 comes with DeLorme’s own Topo USA map software including streets, trails, and points of interest for all 50 states.  The software is a little technical but with some practice will let you do amazing things and allow you to fully utilize your GPS.  Let’s say you want to go hiking; you can plan your trip all the way down to which roads you want to take and what kind of elevation changes you will be going through.  Then when you return you can see where you went and even show it off by tagging your pictures to specific coordinates to share with others online. 

The actual PN-40 is extremely durable, which has been tested more than once in our many travels with it and children.  In fact, baby pretty much thinks the Earthmate GPS is just about the coolest toy she’s ever seen and finds it very convenient that it hangs right where she rides in the front pack.  In the months we have been traveling with the PN-40, the unit shows little sign of wear and tear and still performs as good as new.

The unit is similar in size to a remote control and has large, rubberized buttons that are easy to navigate and press while gloved or while cycling.  The battery compartment is water tight and secure, designed for extreme conditions and tough travels, which means that it is kid safe – or mama safe, as the case may be.  The battery life was slightly disappointing in the rare instance when the satellites were having a hard time getting their fix and the PN-40 was searching for our location for long periods of time, but the battery life seemed fine under normal circumstances.

The screen itself is a little smaller than some other GPS units out there, but produces a very clear and sharp image, which combined with the rich map content more than makes up for it. In direct sunlight, or in the middle of the night it was always easily readable.  In addition, the super-fast processor means that as you move around, the PN-40 has no problem keeping the map up with you even while traveling by bike or car.

Speaking of bike rides, after our first bike ride with the PN-40, it’s hard to imagine going without it.  With the use of its proprietary mount it easily attaches to your handle bars in minutes, and from then on snaps in and out in seconds.  The tracking features really come in handy as you can at a glance see your current, average and max speed, your total trip time as well as time moving and stopped and total distance traveled.  Then you can switch to the map screen and see exactly where you’ve gone or where you need to go.  These features while great for hiking, proved awesome for biking as it made us really push ourselves, and also kept the kids interested in the ride much longer as they questioned our latest stats.  And they especially liked being able to search for the nearest frozen yogurt shop in the middle of the ride. 

Ways to make it even more Ravetastic: 1) My husband’s sick of me saying this, but the lanyard really should attach to the bottom of the GPS unit.  Sure, that means it hangs upside down on your neck, but who cares?  Then, when you go to pick it up or check the maps quickly the unit would be right side up.  Makes sense, right? ...right?   2) While it’s a powerful workhorse off road, navigating by PN-40 in the car is a little trickier in that there are no voice prompts.  Instead of a voice saying “turn right here”, the unit merely chimes.  Some people might prefer this, but some might do better to have a passenger seat navigator with the Earthmate PN-40 controls. 

Key Features of the DeLorme PN-40 Include:

• 32-channel STMicroelectronics Cartesio chipset
• 3-axis electronic compass
• 500 MB of available onboard Flash memory
• Support for high-capacity SD cards (SDHC) up to 32 GB
• Dual-core processor for blazing-fast performance
• Barometric altimeter
• Fast USB 2.0 data transfers to in-device SD card – no external card reader required
• More detailed onboard base map data for the U.S., now with secondary and connector roads, along with major highways and thoroughfares for the entire world (still providing detailed U.S. street and backroad detail via the included Topo USA software).

http://www.delorme.com/

Price: $270 - $399, with many sites offering free shipping and also available as a geocaching bundle.  Bicycle mount mentioned in review runs $25 at most sites.

Overall:  A lightweight but rugged handheld GPS with beautiful maps and serious tools for casual and seasoned outdoorsman alike. 

Stay tuned for our complete run-down of geocaching with the kiddos with the Earthmate PN-40.  We will be geocaching throughtout NYC and Seattle, as well as taking to the mountain and trailside to show you the abundance of geocaching options that are right outside your door.

I Have Your ticket to Family Game Night: Out Of The Box Games Giveaway

I have a confession: our family has an obscene amount of board games.  They require a space that is bigger than baby’s bed and they are all arranged by size in a closet specifically designed just for them.  Some might say that’s over the top, but our family and friends know that coming over for Game Night at our house is always a good time. 

When Out Of The Box Publishing contacted me and asked me to review a few of their new board games, I was surprised to find that we actually already owned 4 of their game titles and were already huge fans of Out Of The Box Games.  Their most recognizable title is Apples to Apples, but I think even a casual game fan would recognize a few of their other titles. 

If you’ve never thought of yourself as a board game fan, you should definitely reconsider.  With so many families having a hard time making ends meet in light of the bleak economy, it makes good financial sense to consider Family Game Night in place of going out.  Out Of The Box Games sell for roughly the price of 2 ½ movie tickets, which means it’s a cheaper entertainment option for any family with more than 2 ½ people, and lasts years instead of just an hour or two.  What’s even better than that is that most games offer at least some educational value and every single game offers a family a great bonding experience that makes those nights spent at home memorable and full of laughter.  What parent doesn’t want their kid’s childhood full of great family memories and lots of giggles? 

We were sent Backseat Drawing and Letter Flip to spice up our Game Night and we were thrilled to add them to our collection.  We enlisted a large group of extended family and friends to help us test them and each and every one gave them a ringing endorsement.  As board game connoisseurs, we are always thrilled when we find a game that we can add into the favorite game rotation and bring out at any event, and Out Of The Box has a full list of game titles that fall in that category.

Both the games we tested are good for a huge age range of players as well as being able to handle a large amount of participants without hindering the game.  In my opinion, nothing kills Game Night faster than having too many people that want to play and not enough player spots available.  I hate having to take turns or leave someone out that is really wanting to play, so it’s great to have a multi-player flexible game that can handle just about any number of players.  It’s games like this that we find ourselves going back to party after party because you just never know how many people will want to play. 

The first game we tried was Backseat Drawing and we were lucky enough to have this right before our extended family Summer vacation, which meant that we got to play it on multiple nights and each time we played we had a few more players than the time before.  Also great was that adults and kids could play together, which the kiddos were thrilled about.  The game was simple to learn, fun to play, and could be tailored to fit any age range group with only minor adjustments.

The game is pretty simple, really.  It comes with a set of game cards, four dry erase pens and two white board drawing pads, which really should come with every drawing game – it saves paper and it allows you to erase parts of your drawing quickly and easily on the fly.  And you will be doing a lot of erasing on Backseat Drawing, considering you have absolutely no idea what you’re drawing.  Yes, that’s right – the two people drawing have no idea what they are doodling and, in a twist on every drawing game I have ever seen, are actually helping guess what the object is as well as drawing the picture for the others to guess off of.  But, wait a minute, how can they draw an object if they have no idea what it is?  Well, that’s what the instructor is for, who is giving directions on how to draw the item without giving any clues as to what the object is.

The results are hilarious, and giggles are sure to ensue after each round when the two people drawing realize what the object is they’ve been sketching.  We found that the game can easily handle more than the 10 players max that the instructions suggest, just by utilizing creative seating so everyone can see both boards.  The age suggestion we feel is also just a suggestion as 12 and up seems a bit high.  The game is absolutely clean and family friendly, and can be tailored to include anyone who can draw, really.  We played it with kids as young as 9 and they were easily able to handle 95% of the words they drew on the “easy” side of the deck  We found that by making sure an adult and child were instructing or drawing together, that it was easy to involve kids in the game as well.  Which is good, because there is no way they would have stood for watching us all laughing hysterically but not be able to join in. 

The second game we reviewed was the new Letter Roll word game that is the stuff that us wordies dream of.  I pretty much love any word game (except Scrabble, too much chance for me), so this was the perfect game for me and my sisters.  The game instructions start out like many word games with a rolling of a multi-sided set of dice with letters on them, and asks that players use those letters to form as many words as possible in a short period of time. 

But then Letter Roll gets as crazy as a word game ever gets and shakes things up a bit.  Instead of requiring players to use the letters rolled in a specific order or in a specific spot in the word, the only requirement is that the players use all the letters anywhere in a word, in any order on a word with any amount of letters.  This makes the number of answers virtually limitless and means that the game is easy enough for those who don’t love word games to play.  The one final twist is that players can only collect points for their words by being the only player with that unique word.  That means that no one will want to play with my older sister, who rocks just about any and every word game she’s ever played (including Scrabble, which is probably why I can’t stand it). 

Another favorite Out Of The Box Game title is Squint, which is a great picture game that requires a large amount of creativity but zero drawing.  Instead of using pen and paper to get your team to guess an object, you use a collection of cards with basic shapes on them to layer and stack to create pictures.  We have both the Junior version and adult version of the game and I think they are both a ton of fun for players of all ages. 

If you are interested in putting together a Game Night for the memory books, or entertaining a large group on short notice, you would do well choosing any of the 5 titles mentioned.  If you are specifically entertaining young kids, you will be happy to note that Junior versions are available on a good number of Out Of The Box Games’ titles. 

http://www.outoftheboxgames.com/

Price: $24.99

Looks: Easy to understand and play in minutes

Overall: Fun for all ages

And now for the Giveaway...

Out Of The Box Games was so kind as to offer a Rave and Review reader a chance to win their choice of Backseat Drawing or Letter Flip!  To enter, just visit the Out Of The Box Games site and let me know which of the two games would be a hit for Game Night at your house. 

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review (1 extra entry, must be verified to count)

2) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview so I can see it (1 entry for daily Tweet, just post link here)

3) Blog about this Giveaway (1 extra entry)

4) Place my logo or link in your sidebar on your blog or website (2 extra entries, must have an active link)

5) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs (there is no need to sign up for anything, simply clicking this link is a vote for us.  You can vote one time each day, leave comment each time you vote)

6) Share this post on Facebook (1 extra entry)

7) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc [email protected] for two bonus entries (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

On October 20th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email

Thank you to Out Of The Box for sponsoring this review and giveaway

 

Lauren Nicole Gifts Review and Giveaway

Personalized necklaces have become really popular in the past few years, and it’s easy to see why.  There is really no better way to show off your kiddos, your significant other, your pets, or to commemorate a life-changing event like motherhood or marriage.  Anyone who knows me personally already understands my deep love of all things shiny and wearable and all of those people have already heard more than they care to about my Wax Seal Necklace from Lauren Nicole. 

And how could you not show off something as cool as a Silver Wax Seal Necklace?  Heaven help anyone who just happens to innocently mention that my necklace is cool and then gets sucked into a monologue about how much I love this piece.  And, as it turns out, there have been numerous unsuspecting complimenters in the two weeks straight that I have rocked this necklace.  Since the moment I received the adorable tin with my own personalized Wax Seal Necklace in the mail, it hasn’t left my neck at all.  For anyone that’s counting, that would be 14 showers, more than 8,000 baby tugs and at least a couple hours of sleep (approximately).

The piece doesn't show any signs of wear at all and is extremely comfortable for all day wear.  In fact, I hardly even notice that I am wearing it anymore because it feels so natural against my skin.  There are no scratchy clasps, no chains that pinch or dig in, and it doesn't turn your skin green or cause you to break out.  Trust me, this is a big deal.  A few months ago I developed severe metal allergies to some of my low-quality and cheap jewelry just out of the blue.  Now the costume jewelry I had worn just about every day leaves itchy and scratchy red bumps all around my neck that sting for days and means that I now have to pay close attention to the metal jewelry I flaunt.  Sadly, this has meant I had to cease wearing three of my favorite pieces and had to search for a replacement Mother’s necklace that I could wear daily.  I was happy to note that Lauren Nicole Gifts’ Wax Seal Necklace was not a chintzy jewelry piece and is designed to be worn daily, which means that you can be lazy like me and just wear it continuously or you could actually take good care of your jewelry and take it off before sleeping, showering and scenting. 

Not only is the Wax Seal Necklace holding up perfectly to all I have subjected it to, I really fall more in love with it everyday.  It's so great being able to wear my baby's initial close to me at all times and it's even cooler that I now have a really great conversation piece that is heirloom quality and gorgeous.  If you are looking for a good, quality piece of jewelry at really affordable prices, you will be as thrilled as I am with their really great selection of wearable art.

Lauren Nicole makes so much more than just Wax Seal Necklaces and offers a whole line of personalized jewelry and gifts for anyone or any occasion.  They have charms, pendants, necklaces and more for just about anyone on your list.  You can personalize your piece just about any way you can think of, adding names, dates, birthdays, anniversaries and birthstones to really make your piece stand out.  I love that they offer numerous sized pendants and charms so you can add them to bracelets or add more than one to a chain artfully.  They also offer hand stamped jewelry, personalized baby blankets and monogrammed accessories, as well as items for men that range from cool to cute and back again.  I could literally do 75% of my Christmas shoppingin their online boutique and create thoughtful and personal gifts for everyone on my list.  The best part is that no one would even know they were all from the same site!

http://www.laurennicolegifts.com/

And now for the Giveaway...
Want to win a beautiful Lauren Nicole piece of your own?  Lauren Nicole Gifts was kind enough to offer one Rave and Review reader their own Wax Seal Necklace!

How To Enter: Go to Lauren Nicole's Website and then tell me one other product that you would love to give or to receive and then comment below and tell me what you would choose and for whom.  If you're really thinking, you will also email this post to anyone who might have you on their Christmas list... it never hurts to hint! 

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review (1 extra entry, must be verified to count)

2) Tweet about this Giveaway (1 entry for daily Tweet, just post link here)

3) Blog about this Giveaway with links to this post and www.raveandreview.com (2 extra entries)

4) Place my logo or link in your sidebar on your blog or website (2 extra entries, must have an active link)

5) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs (there is no need to sign up for anything, simply clicking this link is a vote for us.  You can vote one time each day, leave comment each time you vote) (1 extra entry)

6) Share this post on Facebook (1 extra entry)

7) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc [email protected] for two bonus entries (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

On October 18th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email

Thank you to Lauren Nicole for sponsoring this review and giveaway

Click here to see the entire Blog Hop List....

Shred Sled Review and Giveaway

“You’ll twist your ankle.”  That’s the response of everyone over skateboarding age when they see the Shred Sled for the first time.  But you know what?  This little skateboard-esque good time is not created for anyone with rheumatoid arthritis concerns or bad ankles.  No, the Shred Sled is for those who still play like kids, whether they are 8, 28, or 58.  And you would be surprised by the large age range of participants we had joining into the Shred Sled fun.  All without any twisted ankles, broken bones or injuries of any kind. 

The Shred Sled is an in-line, four-wheeled, dual-sided skate deck that is attached by a bendable connector that can be flexed and torqued so both sides move independently of the other side.   Hubby and I had to try it first, because there’s no way we’re sending our family barreling down the street on a contraption we haven’t tested first.  Well, that and we were just dying to try it so when it finally arrived we couldn’t contain ourselves any longer.

The first Shred Sled ride took a bit to get used to, especially for me.  The fact that the wheels of the Shred Sled were inline and the deck had two pieces frightened me a bit and it just didn’t seem possible at all that I would ever be able to ride it.  Requiring balance and a good deal of trust that the first time you step on it won’t land you flat on your face, the Shred Sled seemed intimidating at first to merely stand on, even for hubby.  I should preface this by saying that hubby was a skateboarder in all his high school glory… me, not so much.  So, when hubby turned out to be a natural on the Shred Sled after just a few tries, no one was really surprised.  The shocker was that not only was I able to stay on a four wheeled board for longer than a few seconds, I was actually able to get up some speed and agility. 

After a few tries, we opened up the Shred Sled for riders and showed them the ropes.  We all started out holding onto hubby’s van and pushing off as we learned how to balance on the board and then graduated to trying to twist our hips to pick up momentum.  For the first few tries none of us could go uphill at all, as it required too much coordination to twist in the scissor-like motion required for speed.  However, we had a blast going down the graduated slope of our street over and over by carrying the Shred Sled back up the slope each time. 

Once you get moving, the motion of the Shred Sled is unlike anything you’ve ever ridden.  With all four wheels in a straight line it feels like you are riding on a single blade, able to carve turns with fluid precision far superior to a broad wheeled skateboard.  Add to that the fact that all four wheels actually rotate independently and it gets even crazier.  We found that while in a sweeping turn if you push a little harder out with your rear foot on the rear deck you can add rotation into the turn, a feeling much closer to snowboarding or surfing, and make your turns even sharper but still smooth.   

Hubby was the first to get going uphill and was slow at first but then really got going.  Once he figured it out, it was easy for everyone else to get the technique down for themselves.  I haven’t totally mastered the uphill, but I’ve got the downhill down fast and only a little wobbly.  It was surprising to me how much more in control I felt the faster I rode, which sounds completely backwards but it’s not. 

In fact, I really wasn’t scared at all on the Shred Sled, even as I wiggled down the hill the first time.  This is partly due to how easy it is to stop on the Shred Sled and it makes me so much less nervous, especially when the kiddos are riding it.  Since the board cannot roll on its own and requires your movement to move, you just have to step off the board to stop it, or you can tip either of the Sled sides to the ground where the “brake” is located on the side of the board.  

Speaking of kiddos, I guess I should concede that the Shred Sled is easier to pick up the younger you’re introduced to it.  Kids that had never ridden a Shred Sled before hopped on the deck and (gasp) pushed off, getting a running start at tearing up the streets as if they’d been Shredding it their whole lives.  At least they didn’t laugh at us adults holding onto the van for support or the ones that required a stable buddy to lean on while they learned.  The key point is that eventually we did learn and now are Shred Sledding it up with the kiddos, proving once again that you’re only as old as you play.

http://www.theshredsled.com/

Price: $119.99

Looks: Like a whole lotta fun

Overall: Prepare to be the hit of the neighborhood, or maybe just the parent of the year.

And now for the Giveaway...

Shred Sled was so kind as to offer a Rave and Review reader a chance to win their own Shred Sled! To enter, just visit the Shred Sled website and let me know something cool about the company, the Shred Sled or a move you would love to perfect. 

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review (1 extra entry, must be verified to count)

2) Tweet about this Giveaway (1 entry for daily Tweet, just post link here)

3) Blog about this Giveaway (1 extra entry)

4) Place my logo or link in your sidebar on your blog or website (2 extra entries, must have an active link)

5) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs (there is no need to sign up for anything, simply clicking this link is a vote for us.  You can vote one time each day, leave comment each time you vote)

6) Share this post on Facebook (1 extra entry)

7) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc [email protected] for two bonus entries (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

On October 13th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email

Thank you to Shred Sled for sponsoring this review and giveaway

 

Click here to see the entire Blog Hop List....

Aravon Shoes Rave Reviews

Comfort Engineering by New Balance

I have a non-negotiable rule: the only time you will ever find me wearing uncomfortable shoes is when I am a bridesmaid.  That leaves roughly 365 days in most years that I need to find comfortable shoes to wear.  When I am traveling or when the weather’s good and we walk most everywhere, finding comfortable shoes for long distance is especially difficult.  Hubby jokes that I am constantly on the hunt for shoes, and I would argue that is because finding the perfect shoe is next to impossible.

Possibly this is because I am extremely picky about what makes the cut, and possibly because my very pampered feet are used to luxury, but whatever the reason, I find it extremely hard to find comfortable shoes and harder still to find good looking shoes that fit my requirements.  When I heard that New Balance had a new collection for women that was hailed to be both comfortable and stylish, I had to see it for myself.

One look at the Aravon site and I was on a mission to find these shoes.  For one, the whole line is practical.  We’re talking sandals, mary janes, slip-ons, oxfords, dress shoes and office footwear in four different comfort formulas that all equal all-day wearability.  There is the Stridarc line with their patented heeled rocker sole, Traversa collection of flats and slip-ons, the Power Comfort line with full ground contact soles for performance, and the Office collection which has various heel heights and can pull off office casual as well as dressy. 

So, which style did I choose?  It was a tough choice, but in the end I chose the Aravon Piper and couldn’t be happier.  Since most of our traveling happens when the weather’s warm, finding shoes that can go with both skirts and jeans is always tough.  The Aravon Piper is perfect for all my Summer apparel and even goes well into Fall since its sophisticated look works with slacks, khakis and jeans just as well.  Having even a small heel was a definite change for me since most comfort shoes are flats, so I was extra excited to wear a heel for the first time since my sister’s wedding in 2008.  Even with the 2+ inch heel, the Stridarc Piper shoes are some of the most comfortable I have ever worn and are now my go-to shoe for walking and for travel.

The Aravon Piper product specs are longer than most household appliances, which you will completely understand once you take a few steps in a pair.  The result of all this engineering is a supremely comfortable sole that contours to your feet and provides support and cushioning for all day wear and an adjustable leather upper that feels silky smooth and soft with no “breaking in” required.  A feature I absolutely love is the hook and loop closure that allows you to tighten or loosen the upper as needed for a custom fit.  As someone with abnormally thin feet (which probably accounts for a portion of my shoe issues), I always appreciate when shoes are adjustable, especially when I can still slip them on in a hurry.  

And now for the full Aravon Piper Product Details
• Primalux™ Comfort Cushion is a high density, open-cell foam that gently conforms to the foot and disperses pressure.
• Soft-seam linings have been pounded smooth and insightfully placed to avoid irritating your foot
• Ionact™ Antibacterial Protection helps keep shoe free from odor-causing bacteria
• Hook and Loop closure provides a custom fit without laces
• Leather upper for natural comfort, durability, and breathability
• Abzorb® cushioning in the forefoot for exceptional shock absorption
• Stability Cradle embedded in Velocor™ footbed supports the arch, cups the heel, and helps provide motion control
• Slip-On construction for easy on/off wear
• 12/8 inch heel
• Stridarc heeled rocker sole
• Velocor Footbed made of soft, lightweight EVA foam features an understated metatarsal bump for support
• Colors:  Bronze Metallic and Black

As you can see, there’s a lot more than good looks going on in the Aravon Collection, which means I’m finally able to stop searching for the perfect shoe and instead start saving my pennies for the other styles in the Aravon line I would love to own.

http://www.aravonshoes.com/

Take the Aravon Healthy Feet Quiz

Price: I have found Aravon shoes from $70 and up on sale and under $150 full price.  There are sales happening web wide on their sandals and Summer-y shoes and you should act fast if you want to snatch these up at the low rates.  Search for Aravon shoes locally here

Looks: Stylish and sophisticated, these are not your grandma’s comfort shoes.

Overall: For when sneakers are not appropriate but comfort definitely is.

Hubby and I both want to extend a big thank you to Aravon for this review and for ending my quest for comfort shoes.

Sierra Designs Lightning XT-4 Tent

Camping means entirely different things to different people.  Case in point: the first time my wife and I decided to go camping together and were comparing gear to see what we needed to bring.  When it came time to talk tents we both ended up laughing hysterically at one another and our tent choices.  I owned the smallest and lightest 2 person tent I could find, with just enough room for the two of us to be shoulder to shoulder, and no room for anything else in there with us.  She had an 8 person tent, complete with its own doggie door, you know, just in case we decided to buy a dog and invite 6 friends along. 

 

Over the next few years as we alternated between backpacking and car camping, we had to figure out each time which tent worked better.  These friendly discussions came to be known as “Pitch My Tent” where we would each argue the merits of our own tent.  But, as our family outgrew the 2 person tent and we tired of carrying around the Taj Mahal with all the valuable trunk space it required, we realized it was time for a compromise, although we had serious doubts we could both be pleased.

 

 

All our doubts disappeared when we found the Lightning XT-4 tent from Sierra Designs.  Here was a tent that weighed within ounces of my old 2 person tent, yet was spacious enough for 4 full size adults and all the gear that comes along with them.  I was relieved knowing we could fit the whole family in one tent while adding virtually no weight to what I was used to carrying.  The wife loved that we had room for the family to grow, or for a guest or two in the meantime.  In a record breaking moment, we both agreed simultaneously that this was the tent for us. 

 

What makes the Lightning XT-4 so cool comes from what Sierra Designs calls their Tunnel Dome Architecture, which refers to the way the poles are configured and really maximizes the interior space of the tent while keeping the weight down.  They utilize smart design features such as quick pitch swivel hubs, ball cap and Jake's foot connectors that combine to make setting up as easy as possible with poles that snap and click solidly into place. Plus there are no sleeves to feed those poles through, only a few more fast and simple clips to attach and you are ready to camp.  Once set up, the shape of the tent reminds me of the end of a French bread roll, with one side where you cut it off being pretty much straight and flat, the other sides continue out from there and then taper off to the end.  The curves are actually very subtle which makes the side walls almost vertical, giving it a very open feel and makes it easy to seat the maximum number of adults without having to cram everyone in the middle of the tent at the peak. 

 

On our first outing with the Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4 tent, a swarm of relentless super bugs had the entire party holed up in tents most of the trip.  Specifically ours, which quickly became the party tent.  We easily fit two sleeping children and four adults while we played all sorts of made up card games and munched on salmon jerky till all hours of the night as we enjoyed the crisp, clean mountain air without all the bugs.    

 

Contributing to the open feeling as much as the vertical walls, is the fact that almost the entire tent body is made of mesh.  The only parts that aren’t are the floor and then a few inches up the side wall to make sure water doesn’t sneak in.  At first I was worried about how strong the mesh would be, but on our very first outing it was put to the test.  Our littlest camper ended up poking the mesh in various places with a plastic dinosaur’s tail, leaving a trail of little holes across the tent.  Thankfully the fabric was plenty tough enough to withstand a plastic dinosaur attack and the fabric of the tent didn’t actually tear.  Instead, the mesh had just spread a little making it appear to have been damaged and all that was needed to repair it was a couple seconds of rubbing the strands back in place and all was well again. 

 

When covered with the rain cover, the tent is extra rugged and durable and easily withstood our unpredictable Washington weather.  During the summer, we were very pleased with the way the mesh underneath allows it to breathe well during the day without becoming unbearably hot.  If there ever was a 0% chance of rain or dew, you could leave the rain cover off and spend the night literally under the stars. 

 

The Sierra Designs Lightning XT-4 seems to be in a category all by itself as a 3 season, 4 person ultra light backpacking tent that is also big enough for car camping and all the luxuries that come with it.  When we were searching for tents, it quickly became clear that most companies don’t make a 4 person tent, and those that do assume that you are only carrying it a few feet before you pitch it and “ultra-light” never even crosses their minds. 

Specs from the Sierra Designs website:
Trail Weight     6 lbs 13 oz
Packed Weight    7 lbs 6 oz
Packed Size    21" x 6"
Number of Doors    2
Interior Area    57.5 sq ft.
Vestibule Area    17.5 + 10 sq ft.
Peak Height    49"
Floor Material     0D Nylon, 3000mm
Body Material     20D Nylon
Fly Material     40D HT Nylon, 1500mm
Number of Poles     4 Hubbed
Poles DAC Featherlite NSL, 9.0/9.6mm
 
Features from the Sierra Designs website:
SuperSeal Floor™
• Combines benefits of catenary and bathtub floors.
• Raised, taped, perimeter seam provides guaranteed waterproofness.
• Maintains a tighter pitch with a better wind line to prevent flapping.
Tunnel Dome™
• Another Sierra Designs first - the Tunnel Dome™ tent.
• Innovative architecture combines the strengths of both dome and tunnel tents in one unified design.
• Freestanding ease of setup and large doors from dome tents meets steep walls, covered doors, and spacious interiors of tunnel tents.
• Quick and easy setup in any weather condition.
Swivel Hub™
• A small and super light pole connector that replace heavier and bulkier pole buckets.
• Allows brow poles to connect to the main poles instead.

http://sierradesigns.com/

MSRP: $449.00, which is cheaper, cleaner and much more memorable than a three night hotel stay and can be used for decades of family vacations.

 

Looks: Like a tent.  A tent both the wife and I can agree on.

 

Overall: A roomy, rugged and ultra lightweight solution for all types of campers. 

 

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Go GaGa Weight Reduction Messenger Bags

I am an admitted bag addict and am always on the lookout for the perfect bag for our wide variety of activities.  I finally found that perfect bag in the Go GaGa line; one that can truly grow with me and accommodate all my gear without being uncomfortable when worn for long periods of time.  The Messenger Bag by Go GaGa absolutely fit those requirements and more, quickly becoming the most useful and by far the most comfortable bag that I have ever owned. 

When I found Go GaGa Bags, my entire bag wishlist was addressed in addition to features I hadn’t even dreamed of: ultimate storage capacity and organization, minimalist good looks, easy access pockets, and the most comfortable weight-reducing strap on the market.  Unlike other bags where the weight of the bag is concentrated along the thin shoulder strap, the Go GaGa line offers something that is far superior - a strap that spreads the weight out over a larger area across the shoulder and back. 

The result is a bag that feels exponentially lighter and allows you to carry it comfortably much longer than you would have ever guessed.  Hubby loves that the Go GaGa strap can be worn in so many different ways so you can reposition the bag throughout the day as needed and aren’t left with one sore shoulder and achy muscles.  I love that the bag has a bouncy, light feel and means I can actually carry that heavy-as-lead SLR camera I always wish I had but can never justify with all baby’s and my stuff weighing me down. 

I have tried a bunch of weight reduction straps for my cameras in the past, but unfortunately the most useful of them are for the camera body, but don’t do anything for you once they are in your bag weighing you down.  The Go GaGa strap is by far the best weight reduction bag I have ever used and it makes me wish I had found their bags years earlier for my book-toting college years or our previous travels when I took my lighter and least favorite SLR with us to save on heft and have regretted it ever since.     

My second favorite attribute of the Go GaGa Messenger Bag would be the large amount of pockets and storage, but I think most of you already guessed that.  The back pocket is big enough for a laptop as well as the included changing pad, and the interior pockets are big enough to organize a huge amount of gear.  The double enforced dividers are perfect for protecting cameras and breakables (I always pick the most breakable souvenirs, just ask hubby) as well as keeping small things organized even when on the move.  One of my favorite things is that the front flap doesn’t completely cover the two front pockets, so it’s easy to reach in to grab necessities while on the go without stopping to open the bag.  I found this was the perfect spot for my cell phone so it was easy to grab at a moment’s notice without having to set the bag down.      

The two fully insulated side pockets are equally accessible while on the move, and hold a standard sized water bottle, sippy cup, toys, camera lenses, or even some wine bottles, making them actually useful for all of our gear, not just the smallest family members’.  To further support that they have truly thought of everything, Go GaGa has even included two straps along the top of the bag that can hold a yoga mat, rolled blanket or other tubular object as well as being useful for attaching to a stroller or bike.  If you do need to set the bag down for a minute, the reinforced bottom of the bag keeps it upright and easy to access.   

If you ever carry a bag on a regular basis, or use one for carrying your laptop, traveling, or hauling baby gear, you should definitely check out the Go GaGa line.  They have three different bag designs to fit any need and they come in 5 beautiful colors, two of which are made from recycled materials.  I think there is a huge misconception floating about that Go GaGa Bags are diaper bags and there has been lots of talk about how the bags can be repurposed for all sorts of uses after we’re done diapering.  Instead, I am going to argue that Go GaGa Bags are simply one of the coolest and most innovative designs out there, and it just so happens that some of their product line comes with what could be used as a changing pad.  In short, these bags are smart and stylish, no kiddos required.

Random Raves: I have small shoulders and have a hard time keeping bags in place when slung over one shoulder.  The Go GaGa Messenger Bag stays in place no matter what I’m doing (traveling, shopping, biking, hiking) or carrying (kiddos, gear, cameras), and never slips off unexpectedly.  For those of you with shoulder pain, back pain or tenderness from nursing, the Go GaGa strap is perfect for distributing the weight so that the bag doesn’t irritate, dig in, or cause pain.  

http://www.gogagalife.com/ and available at Buy Buy BABY

Priced from $118 - $128, which may seem pricey, but is absolutely worth every penny.  For those that already have the perfect bag but are dreaming of Go GaGa’s weight reduction straps, you will be happy to note that they sell the straps separately and they can be attached to any bag with loops.

Looks: Not too girly, not too masculine, the Go GaGa line has something for both guys and gals.

Overall: I adore this bag and could easily sell this bag by the dozens to fellow travelers and parents on the street.  I’m hoping to eventually own two more individual straps to attach to my luggage for our travels. 

A big thank you to Go GaGa for sending their messenger bag to save my neck, back and shoulders.

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