Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Kick Off 2014 with the New "The Unstoppable, Unpoppable Bubble" DVD from Nick Jr.'s Hit Animated Series for Preschoolers, Tickety Toc -- Review and #Giveaway

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this DVD, along with a Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods FREE product coupon, in exchange for hosting a screening party with my family and friends, thanks to the vendor.  However, all views shared are mine and mine alone.



 

What a way to ring in the new year with the girls -- we just wrapped up a fun screening party where the girls and their friends previewed the upcoming DVD release, “The Unstoppable, Unpoppable Bubble” (arriving on DVD on Jan. 7th), from the hit animated series, Tickety Toc, which airs on Nick Jr.  Even if I weren't a VIP Tick Tocketeer, where I am given the opportunity to review toys and DVD's from the Tickety Toc series, I would be ordering a copy of this upcoming DVD to watch with my girls, are they are huge Tommy and Tallulah fans. And, I can't lie, I love this show, too!

The upcoming DVD release, titled “The Unstoppable, Unpoppable Bubble” includes the following six episodes, which have already aired on Nick Jr., are are probably favorite of your Tickety Toc fans in your house:

  • Bubble Time
  • Help a Friend Time
  • Fruity Pudding Time
  • Bell Time
  • Balloon Time
  • Stickety Time
Each of the above shows, as well as those that air on Nick Jr. teach preschoolers about the importance of teamwork, community and social responsibility.  As a parent, I love when shows are not only entertaining, but also help children learn and development important life skills. 

Like I said, our viewing party just wrapped up, and all the kids couldn't stop raving about the DVD and the six episodes that make up this upcoming DVD release.  At only 68 minutes, even the youngest of viewers were able to sit and enjoy all six episodes.  Don't ask me which was their favorite, as they would say "all of them." :-)  In addition to watching these fun filled episodes, the kids and their moms were also treated to sandwiches and a sampling of Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods, including Cedar’s All Natural Hommus, Cedar’s Taboule Salad, and my family's favorite, Cedar’s Spinach Dip, along with pita chips, tortilla chips and an assortment of drinks. 

Products: hommusProducts: plainProducts: taboule-salad-7-oz-and-14-oz

While my girls will not be staying up until midnight to ring in the new year, they were able to count down at 3PM and hug their friends, as they wished each other a "Happy New Year."  They can't wait to catch new Tickety Toc episodes this coming year, and see what new toys and DVD's will be releasing around this popular preschool show.



So, if you have a Tickety Toc fan in your house, why not surprise them in 2014 with this new DVD release.  It makes for a great addition to the previously released Tickety Toc DVD, "Chime Time Adventures."  The DVD also includes an adorable paint booklet so preschoolers can enjoy art time, as well as viewing time, along with their favorite Tickety Toc characters!  I can't wait to hear what you and your children think of this upcoming DVD release, from Nick Jr.'s, Tickety Toc -- so, be sure to leave a comment on this post once you watch this DVD with your child(ren) in the new year.




Tickety Toc finds new US partners

--- SAVE $2.00 off this upcoming DVD release ---

 Products: spinach-dip-12-oz


Anchor Bay Entertainment and Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods, Inc have partnered for a promotion to celebrate the launch of new Tickety Toc DVD, The Unstoppable, Unpoppable Bubble.

Art from the DVD, landing on January 7th, will appear on 1.7 million containers of Cedar’s All Natural Hommus as well as club size Taboule and Spinach Dip.  Consumers who purchase these products can also receive an instant $2 discount off of The Unstoppable, Unpoppable Bubble or Tickety Toc: Chime Time Adventures DVDs from Anchor Bay Entertainment. Shoppers can tear off the on-pack coupon on the Cedar’s package and redeem it at the checkout to receive the instant rebate on their purchase.



--GIVEAWAY--

One lucky will win a copy of this new DVD release, thanks to the folks at Anchor Bay Entertainment. To enter, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

----
 
About Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods, Inc.

Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods, Inc. was established in 1981 and has been a leader in the Mediterranean food industry for over 30 years. Its authenticity and expertise has allowed the company to nationally expand and flourish with its many product lines including All Natural hommuspita chipsfresh saladsGreek yogurt based dips, and tzatziki. As one of the only major hommus manufacturers still privately owned, Cedar’s continually introduces new products and flavor profiles to help keep the industry fresh and consumers satisfied. Throughout its success, Cedar’s has focused on promoting healthy lifestyles through great tasting Mediterranean foods, as reflected in the recent Non-GMO Project Verification and Gluten Free Certifications of many of its product lines.

About Anchor Bay Entertainment

Anchor Bay Entertainment is a leading home entertainment company.  Anchor Bay acquires and distributes feature films, original television programming, including STARZ Original series, children's entertainment, anime (Manga Entertainment), fitness (Anchor Bay Fitness), sports, and other filmed entertainment on DVD and Blu-ray formats.  The company has long term distribution agreements in place for select programming with AMC Networks, RADiUS, and The Weinstein Company.  Headquartered in Beverly Hills, CA, Anchor Bay Entertainment has offices in Troy, MI, as well as Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.  Anchor Bay Entertainment (www.anchorbayentertainment.com) is a Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) business, www.starz.com.

About Zodiak Kids
Zodiak Kids is the global independent leader in kids entertainment, combining Zodiak Media’s dedicated kids production companies, consumer products and sales division. Zodiak Kids encompassesprominent production companies Marathon Media and Tele Images Productions (France) and The Foundation (UK)Sales for Zodiak kids are handled by a dedicated team within Zodiak Rights, one of the leading international distributors in the industry.  All aspects of licensing are handled by a dedicated division with highly experienced teams based in London and Paris (Zodiak Kids CP London and Zodiak Kids CP Paris). Zodiak Kids boasts one of the largest, high-quality kids catalogues in the world, which includes Totally Spies!, the international hit animation series;  Tickety Toc, the new animated series; Waybuloo, the CBeebies pre-school hit; Redakai, a brand new series on Cartoon Network US; Mister Maker, the ultimate arts and craft show; Gormiti, based on the extraordinarily successful figurine range that sold over 100 million pieces; Street Football, one of the top rated animated shows in France and Italy and the newly launched The Ranchwww.zodiakkids.com

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this DVD, along with a Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods FREE product coupon, in exchange for hosting a screening party with my family and friends, thanks to the vendor.  However, all views shared are mine and mine alone.
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Mark Your Calendars - Jake and the Never Land Pirates - Season 3 Premiere, Friday, January 3rd


 

SEASON THREE OF HIT DISNEY JUNIOR SERIES "JAKE AND THE NEVER LAND PIRATES," FEATURING NEW VILLAINS, SPECIAL ACTION-PACKED EXTENDED EPISODES AND REVAMPED PIRATE ROCK THEME SONG, TO DEBUT FRIDAY, JANUARY 3 ON DISNEY CHANNEL

-- Jack McBrayer, Mark Hamill, Carl Reiner, Rico Rodriguez, Estelle Harris and Jo Frost among Guest Stars --

"Season three of Disney Junior's Emmy-nominated animated series "Jake and the Never Land Pirates" will premiere Friday, January 3 on Disney Channel (8:30 a.m., ET/PT) and Disney Junior (7:50 p.m., ET/PT)The new season introduces rival characters including pirate ghosts, mummies and robots, and incorporates special super powers and spectacular gadgets for Jake and his crew, including Jake’s Mega-Mecha Sword, a robot suit and an invisibility ring that will help the gang outwit their new adversaries.  The season will also include action-packed extended length episodes and a revamped rock and roll-style theme song performed by Sharky and Bones of The Never Land Pirate Band.


Celebrity guest stars include Jack McBrayer as a pirate mummy, Mark Hamill as chilling pirate Shiverjack, Carl Reiner as ghost pirate Captain Treasure Tooth, Rico Rodriguez as Snow-Foot, Estelle Harris as Peg-Leg Peg and Jo Frost as Nanny Nell, Captain Hook's no-nonsense nanny.   


New episodes of "Jake and the Never Land Pirates" will air every Friday throughout January and February culminating with the premiere of a special extended episode on Friday, February 28, featuring three 11-minute stories that pit Jake against Hook in an ultimate showdown.  All featured episodes will be simulcast for verified users on WATCH Disney Junior in conjunction with the television premieres and will become available the following day on WATCH Disney Junior, Disney Junior on Demand, iTunes, Xbox and Amazon.

Beginning Friday, January 31, DisneyJunior.com/Jake will debut the new game, "Jake and the Never Land Pirates: The Super Pirate," where players can take on the role of Jake as he attempts to retrieve the Mega-Mecha Sword that Captain Hook has stolen.  Each Friday through February 28, kids are invited to unlock a new game level.

The strong connection kids 2-7 and their parents have with the characters and stories of "Jake and the Never Land Pirates" has led to brand extensions across other Disney businesses.  The series is prominently featured in Feld Entertainment's 90-city nationwide tour, "Disney Junior Live On Tour! Pirate and Princess Adventure," and Jake and his crew are an integral part of the popular "Disney Junior Live on Stage!" attraction at Disney California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort and Disney's Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida where the Jake character also meets with fans daily.  Disney Consumer Products has licensed LEGO® DUPLO® sets, action figures and playsets, board games, bikes, apparel and bedding, available at major retailers nationwide.

"Jake and the Never Land Pirates" airs daily on Disney Junior and Disney Channel's Disney Junior programming block for kids age 2-7. The series stars Cameron Boyce as Jake; Madison Pettis as Izzy; Jonathan Morgan Heit as Cubby; David Arquette as Skully; Corey Burton as Captain Hook; Jeff Bennett as Mr. Smee and Bones and Loren Hoskins as Sharky. Rob LaDuca is executive producer, Mark Seidenberg is producer/story editor and Howy Parkins is director, all of "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse."  The series is produced by Disney Television Animation.

Disney Junior reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary. It invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for kids age 2-7. Disney Junior's series blend Disney's unparalleled storytelling and characters kids love deeply with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social skills. In the U.S., Disney Junior is a daily programming block on Disney Channel and a 24-hour channel.  There are 33 Disney Junior channels in 24 languages around the world.

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FREE Coffee at Local McDonald's in CT and Western MA -- Jan 1-7th



FREE McCAFÉ® COFFEE ALL WEEK AT McDONALD’S®
CONNECTICUT & wESTERN mASSACHUSETTS AREA McDONALD’S
WISH CUSTOMERS A GOOD MORNING BY OFFERING FREE COFFEE



Enjoy a FREE Small McCafé® Coffee at Participating McDonald’s January 1-7


"To kick off 2014 and ensure our customers have a good morning, participating McDonald’s restaurants in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts will be offering a FREE small McCafe coffee, January 1-7.   

“We’re thrilled to share our customer appreciation and wish a good morning by offering our coffee for free this week,” said Rachel Deane, local McDonald’s owner/operator and president of the Connecticut and Western Massachusetts McDonald’s Owner/Operator Association. “No strings attached – just come in and enjoy a free small McCafe coffee at one of our 145 restaurants in the Connecticut and Western Massachusetts area.”  Offer excludes Fairfield County, CT.

McDonald’s has been a long-time leader in the quality, convenient breakfast offerings at a great value and the menu continues to evolve. In 2013, McDonald’s launched the Egg White Delight McMuffin, which is cooked fresh on the grill and pairs great with coffee.

While most popular in the morning, the free coffee offering will be available all-day. More value offers are available through the McD App, available for iPhone and Android devices. Follow @McD_CTWMA for coffee giveaways during the week of January 1-7, 2014."

About McDonald's:

The Connecticut and Western Massachusetts McDonald’s Owner/Operator Association is comprised of local McDonald’s restaurant owners who are community and industry leaders. They have a long-standing commitment to supporting educational initiatives and organizations in the communities they serve, including providing resources to promote balanced, active lifestyles to kids and nutritional information for families. For more information, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @McD_CTWMA.



McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States offering a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local businessmen and women. Customers can now log online for free at any of the 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter (@McDonalds) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and menu items.
 
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Brighten Up 2014 w/ a Room Makeover -- Simply Switch to GE Reveal Bulbs For Innovative Clean, Beautiful Light™ – Now available at Target!

GE Lighting Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GELighting
GE Lighting Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/GELighting
GE Lighting Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/generalelectric/lighting-the-world
GE Lighting YouTube Page: http://www.youtube.com/user/GELightingFuture - See more at: http://www.gelighting.com/LightingWeb/na/consumer/bloggers/#sthash.i7zL8SLz.dpuf


GE reveal<sup>®</sup> LED vs Soft White Light Bulbs 

"We all know the holidays and New Years are the perfect time to consider a makeover. Did you know the quickest and easiest way to makeover your home for the holidays is with good lighting? With GE reveal® light bulbs, you can switch on the true beauty of life’s spaces and the people within them.


You’ll be amazed at how GE reveal® bulbs replace yellow, dingy lighting with crisp, white light that makes colors and patterns pop, transforming homes from ordinary to extraordinary with just the flip of a switch. GE’s new and innovative reveal® LEDs offer the same aesthetic benefits as the rest of the GE reveal® brand plus energy-efficient technology that allows them to last over a decade, based on three hours of usage a day. 

To see how quick and easy a reveal® lighting makeover can be, watch this fun and stylish new video GE Lighting created featuring four hip West-Coast tastemakers who depend on the best lighting possible for their craft, as they complete a GE reveal® makeover and share their authentic experience. Learn more about our experts and their lighting transformations. Watch the video here.

Buy GE reveal® at a Discount at Target!
Not only are GE reveal® LED bulbs available almost exclusively at Target, but there you can find great prices and savings on all GE reveal® solutions. Target’s Cartwheel App provides savings for in-store purchases of GE reveal (as well as many of the other items you’ll likely need in the upcoming months).
Simply download Target’s money-saving Cartwheel app, (available on Apple IOS here and Android here), select the GE reveal (and any other savings you need) and head to your local Target for great deals! Starting on January 5th, there will be a coupon for 25% off GE reveal bulbs on the Cartwheel app.


In addition to using the discounts on the Cartwheel app, you can also print off the coupon below for even more savings nationwide!"





GE reveal® Coupon - Enjoy $1 off any package of reveal® light bulbs.  
Good to print through December 31, 2013 with a 45 day expiration after print date.

As new energy-efficiency standards are set to take place January 1, 2014, consumers can choose among GE reveal® halogen, CFL, and LED bulbs in addition to GE Lighting’s other energy-efficient options.

---

Stay tuned because I will be doing my own family room makeover with GE Reveal lightening, with samples that are on their way to me, thanks to GE Lighting. In addition to me sharing my own experience with the GE Reveal bulbs, I will also be offering one lucky reader a chance to win a $25 Target gift card, so that they can pick up GE Reveal bulbs and do their own 2014 GE Reveal makeover, and see the difference in how beautiful their home will look with new GE Reveal bulbs.
About GE Lighting
GE is proud to continue its long tradition of innovation in lighting and hopes you enjoy your new lighting experience with clean beautiful light of GE reveal® bulbs. For more information, please visit GE reveal®.

GE Lighting Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GELighting
GE Lighting Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/GELighting
GE Lighting Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/generalelectric/lighting-the-world
GE Lighting YouTube Page: http://www.youtube.com/user/GELightingFuture - See more at: http://www.gelighting.com/LightingWeb/na/consumer/bloggers/#sthash.i7zL8SLz.dpuf
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Monday, December 30, 2013

Enter to #Win 4 Tickets to Dr. Ben Carson: Worcester Connects Distinguished Speaker Series at The Hanover Theatre, Worcester, MA on Jan. 9th at 7:30PM #Giveaway





Presenting sponsor

and 
 
Visionary sponsor


Dr. Ben Carson: Worcester Connects Distinguished Speaker Series

Thursday, January 9, 2014 at 7:30PM



"Dr. Ben Carson is a patients’ advocate.  He knows how difficult it can be for individual to obtain the information that is truly meaningful and important to them.  In this enlightening presentation, Dr. Carson gets at the hard issues surrounding the medical field, while sharing with audiences the warm and compassionate perspective that have made him a world-renowned surgeon.  He draws upon his knowledge of both interventional and preventive medicines to discuss not only improvements in personal health, but how the passage of health care reform will potentially make life better for all Americans.  He also shares his own struggle with cancer and his insights on living a balanced, healthy life."

--GET YOUR TICKETS NOW--
 

Tickets for DR. BEN CARSON are $30 and $40, depending on seating location. 10% discount available for members, corporate partners, kids, students, and WOO Card holders. Please call the box office at 877.571.SHOW (7469) for more information.

Click here to learn more about this talk, and to order your tickets now -- http://thehanovertheatre.org/showinfo.php?id=63.


---WIN TICKETS NOW---

Thanks to the kind folks at The Hanover Theatre, one lucky reader will win 4 tickets to this one-night only talk with Dr. Ben Carson on Jan. 9th at 7:30PM.  To enter, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Don't Miss the Michaels One Day Sale -- Thursday, Dec. 26th, 2013 -- SAVE 40% Off Your Entire Regular Price Purchase! #AfterChristmasSale @michaelsstores

Disclosure:  As a thank you for promoting the upcoming Michaels One Day Sale, I was compensated for my time.  However, all views shared are mine and mine alone.





First, let me start by wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.  I hope you are enjoying quality time with family and friends. And, I hope that you received everything you asked for from Santa, and that you had enough batteries in the house for all the kids' toys. :-)  We had a blast this AM opening gifts with the girls.  This was the first Christmas that they both got into it, and were excited to see if Santa would come and what he would leave under the tree for him.  While a little tired from getting up with the girls a few times in the night -- as they kept waking to see if Santa came or if it was time to get up -- I am still enjoying the day and dinner later on at my parents' house with family.

While most people are still in the celebrating mode, others are already starting their game plan for day after Christmas shopping.  Will you be heading out to the stores tomorrow AM to get deep discounts on after Christmas sales?  While not a fan of the crazy return lines at stores, I do like going and seeing if I can find deals/steals for things Santa didn't bring, or things I can pick up on sale and put away for gifts for the girls for their birthday and even next Christmas. :-)  What do you like shopping for when it comes to after Christmas sales?  Are you like my mom and stock up on wrapping paper, gift bags and tags, ornaments and holiday decor?  Or, do you like getting gift sets and big ticket markdown items?  I can't wait to hear what sales you come across as you spend the next few days hitting the stores and taking advantage of their after Christmas sales.
 

Michaels

I wanted to share a sale I will be hitting up first thing tomorrow -- Michaels One Day Sale, where you will save 40% off your entire regular price purchase! You can browse your local Michaels store sales flyer to learn more about tomorrow's one day sale, as well as other sales happening this week.  And, don't forget to print off the other money saving coupons to help you save even more on your next trip to Michaels. :-)  We will be picking up more rainbow loom bands, as well as stocking on arts and crafts kits for the girls, to keep them busy during snow days or when they feel under the weather.  

Santa surprised them each with a Michaels gift card, so they are excited to go on a mini shopping spree tomorrow. :-)  I have to admit, I can't wait to take advantage of Michaels 70% after Christmas sales, as well as get 40% off regular priced items tomorrow.  

Don't miss this one day sale, tomorrow, Dec. 26th, 2013, at your local Michaels store.  See you there!

Stay in the know for upcoming sales, coupons and special offers at your local Michaels store by following on Facebook and Twitter:

Facebook: Michaels Stores
Twitter: @michaelsstores


Disclosure:  As a thank you for promoting the upcoming Michaels One Day Sale, I was compensated for my time.  However, all views shared are mine and mine alone.
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Friday, December 20, 2013

Looking to Upgrade to a Smartphone? Or, Are the Kids Asking for a Phone for Christmas? -- The LG G2 Phone Has So Much To Offer and is Worth Checking Out #SprintMom #MC #Sponsored

Disclosure: I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for Sprint. I received product samples to facilitate my review.




Are you done with all your holiday shopping?  And, are the gifts all wrapped and ready to put under the tree?  If not, then maybe you will run into my husband and others, who will be making a mad dash through the mall this upcoming weekend, to find last minute gift ideas, or eek...start their holiday shopping.  The stress alone of counting down these final 4 days is enough for me.  I wouldn't be able to handle the crowds, long lines and fighting for parking spaces. 

When it comes to gifts asked for and purchased for your family, what ranked top of everyone's lists?  I was surprised to find my niece and nephew asking for a smartphone. Even my two year old daughter wanted a phone to talk to Nana or Papa on, or would settle for her own tablet.  Back when I was their ages, I wasn't thinking about phones or tech gadgets.  The hot toys for the season, including dolls and video games were top on my list.  But, we are in a new day and age, and if kids are not asking for a smartphone, many parents are thinking about buying them for every member in the family, so that they can all stay connected.  With the recent school shootings and bomb threats, it is no wonder why parents want to provide a smartphone to their children.  I know that for me, I would want to be able to reach out to my kids if god forbid anything ever happened at their school...and vis a versa.  Also, with families on the go, and needing to be in different places at one time, having a smartphone is key to staying in touch, and knowing when to pick a child up from practice or a friend's house, or having to order out if you forget to take something out for dinner or don't have time to prepare anything.  

If you had asked me a few years ago if I liked carrying around a cell phone, I would have told you "No."  I didn't like being tied to the phone, or worse, interrupted when I was trying to spend quality time with family and friends.  But, the car breakdowns and the need to be able to get in touch with and share news or information with others, make carrying a cell phone a necessity.  And, today, I have two phones I carry -- yes, two phones.  One is a pre-paid phone I keep in the car for emergencies, in case my smartphone runs out of battery and I need to make an emergency call.  The other is my main form of communication.  While we still have a house land line, I find myself making and receiving more phone calls on my mobile phone that the house phone.  Do you find the same?



Here are the Specs of the LG G2 for the techies out there:


Operating system
Android 4.2
Battery information
3000 mAh Li-ION
Talk time
Up to 17 Hours battery
Dimensions
Display
5.2" Full HD IPS Display (1920X1080 FHD)
Weight
5.04 oz
Processor
2.3GHz Quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon
Memory
2GB RAM/32GB ROM
Bluetooth profiles
A2DP, AVRCP, GAVDP, HFP 1.5, PBAP, HSP, FTP, GOEP, SDAP/SDP, DUN, OPP, SPP, Stereo Streaming, AVDTP, and OBEX

Last month, I shared my thoughts on the new Moto X phone from Sprint, as I had been sent a phone to try out for a few months. If trying out this phone wasn't enough of a perk, last month Sprint sent along their new LG G2 Smartphone to try, as part of my involvement in their Sprint Mom Ambassador program with Mom Central Consulting.  The first week, I let my husband use the phone and asked him what he thought about it.  I have to admit, I had fallen in love with the Moto X and all its features, that I didn't see the need to try out another phone.  But, to assist me in writing this review, I have been using the LG G2 Smartphone for a few now, and have to say that I am loving the bigger screen and many features this new smartphone has to offer.  From the KnockON feature to the Guest Mode (perfect for when you want to let the kids play with your phone in a restricted format) as well as the 13-megapixel Full HD camera, this new smartphone has so much to offer, and will meets the needs of both parents and kids/teens looking to upgrade to a smartphone.  

Just look at some of the popular features owner of the LG G2 smartphone can't stop raving about:





Key features

  • Android 4.2
    Android 4.2
    Android 4.2 takes the speed and simplicity of Jelly Bean to the next level thanks to a completely new camera experience that’s beyond smart, a new form of typing that helps you write messages in a flash, and expandable, actionable notifications that make your lock screen even more useful.  
  • SprintSpark™ (Support coming soon, via update)
    SprintSpark™ (Support coming soon, via update)
    This Sprint Spark capable, enhanced LTE device was designed to take full advantage of all three of Sprint's LTE bands to deliver our fastest data speeds ever offered and, improved in-building coverage. Sprint Spark enhanced LTE coverage is available in select markets. 
  • Sprint 4G LTE
    Sprint 4G LTE
    Sprint 4G LTE is available in select markets. See sprint.com/4GLTE for more info. 
  • 3G
    3G
    When coverage is available, experience broadband-like download speeds. The average download speeds range from 400 to 700 Kbps with peak rates up to 2 Mbps. All while on the Sprint network. 
  • Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi
    With Wi-Fi turned on, you can connect just like you do on your laptop, your phone will automatically search for available networks and you may even save extra bars on your battery. 
  • Entertainment
    Entertainment
    A gamer's, audiophile’s or video lover's dream sidekick. The brilliant display and super speeds make for an epic entertainment experience. 
  • GPS Navigation
    GPS Navigation
    With GPS access, you can instantly find everything you need around town or across the country — the best gas prices, the hottest restaurants, favorite destinations — and locate family members anytime. 
  • Messaging (Email & text)
    Messaging (Email & text)
    Text or email on the fly with touchscreen keyboard. 
  • Apps & social networking
    Apps & social networking
    With a host of apps from Google Play™ and easy access to your social network, you're always in the loop. 
  • Web
    Web
    The built-in Web access provides real time access to check sports scores, news, weather, stocks and market indexes, as well as to shop online. 
  • Mobile Hotspot
    Mobile Hotspot
    Incorporated mobile hotspot functionality, allowing up to 5 Wi-Fi enabled devices to share the 4G LTE experience. Easily share the connection with a laptop, camera, music and video players or any other Wi-Fi enabled device. 
Click here to learn more about the LG G2 from Sprint, including other key features of this smartphone -- www.sprint.com/lgg2.






My husband kept asking me when he would get the phone back to use, as once he got to experience the LG G2 smartphone, his other cell phone did not compare and felt so outdated.  I keep telling him I need more time to try out the different phone features.  Shhh, I just don't want to give it back. :-)  Just look at the amazing pictures I was able to capture of our girls, as well as up close shots of recipes I recently shared on my website ---



Now, my old phone nor our $400 digital camera could not capture pictures like this.  In one of the photos I took, I was able to see the steam rising from the hot soup I had just poured into a bowl.  If you love taking photos with your smartphone and sharing with family and friends through your social media pages or via email, then you will love the 13-megapixel Full HD camera this smartphone has to offer. 




In addition to sharing information with you about the new LG G2 smartphone from Sprint, I also wanted to share some surprising results from a survey done by Sprint.  

"Sprint recently conducted a mobile security survey revealing smartphone consumers’ mobile behaviors, habits and concerns about privacy. This is what they found:


Quick Facts
  • Only 44 percent of people set a PIN or passcode on their mobile phone
  • 63 percent of people surveyed check their smartphone at least once an hour (9 percent check every five minutes), and 33 percent of people would fear the contents of their mobile phone being projected on a big screen
  • 63 percent of people would be upset if they left home without their smartphone.
  • When people are without their devices, 29 percent miss texting, 26 percent calling.
  • 97 percent of mobile phone owners report checking their phones occasionally while in the presence of family and friends.
  • 15 percent of those surveyed say they’ve caught someone in the act of snooping, 38 percent -  spouse ; 24 percent -  friend , 18 percent - child, 11 percent - co-worker, 14 percent other
  • 19 percent (nearly 1 in 5) mobile phone owners admit to looking in someone else's phone without their permission1
  • 26 percent of people are not aware of the risks of clicking on unfamiliar links while browsing on mobile.
  • 18 percent store password information on their phones.
  • People are most concerned about someone seeing the following information without their permission on their mobile phone:
    • Personally identifiable information (42 percent)
    • Bank and financial information (33 percent)
    • Contacts information (29 percent)
    • Text messages (23 percent)
To view the survey results, click here: http://bit.ly/17XxvtO."

I was surprised to find that only 18% of people store their password information on their phone, as I would have thought it was higher.  If it wasn't for the few recent occasions where my password and credit card information from online purchases were stolen, I would still be storing my password and personal information on my phone, tablet and computer.  

Out of all the survey statistics shared, I have to say the one that I was not surprised about was this -- "97 percent of mobile phone owners report checking their phones occasionally while in the presence of family and friends." I am guilty of doing this.  Are you?  There is something about having a mobile phone or all this technology and Internet accessibility that makes us go crazy if we are not checking in from time to time -- or more frequently.  While we should cherish time spent with family, our fingers are always itching to tap the phone and scroll through email messages, see what others are doing through their Facebook posts, etc.  It is just habit, and one that comes with this new age of tech gadgets and social media.  While I will be making a concerted effort in 2014 to limit the time I am online when with family, I know it will be hard for me to not glance down and check messages, photos, etc. when my phone alerts me of new messages, etc.  Will you be making a new year's resolution to reduce your cell phone usage, especially when with family and friends?  If so, I would love for you to keep me posted on your progress, as this will help me stay on the path to limited in my phone usage.

Visit the Sprint Online store to learn more about the LG G2 smartphone and plans available --  www.sprint.com/lgg2.


Disclosure: I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for Sprint. I received product samples to facilitate my review.
 
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