Mott’s #ClearPassion Sweepstakes: Help Your Kids Pursue Their Dreams!

August 22, 2019 by Beeb 2 Comments

The product, information, and gift card have been provided by Mott’s so that I could try the product and share my thoughts and information about Mott’s. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not reflect the opinions of Mott’s.

Growing up homeschooled, my parents always nurtured my curiosity, and that gave me such a lifelong appreciation for the importance of seizing the everyday opportunities we have to learn about the world around us. Now that I’m watching the next generation of kids grow up, it’s fun to see them figuring out new things. And since everyone in our whole family loves to learn, we decided to have some fun together one recent summer morning by building robots and picking up some STEM skills!

These boys are passionate about robotics and learning how to build and code! Of course, you can’t learn properly on an empty stomach, so fortunately we had Mott’s® No Sugar Added Applesauce pouches on hand to fuel our brains for some robot-building fun.

Enjoying Mott’s No Sugar Added Applesauce

The kids love Mott’s – and us grownups love that it’s a healthy snack. And thanks to Mott’s brand new clear applesauce pouches, parents have added assurance about their children’s snack choices with quality you can see. These convenient clear pouches made their debut in July – just in time for back-to-school lunches! – and also feature some fun new friends called the Pouch Pals. Each applesauce flavor features its own special Pouch Pal character with its own distinct personality and interests, from Crispin the music-lover to Seedney the skateboarder. These high-energy friends make snacking as fun as it is delicious!

New Mott’s Clear Applesauce Pouches can be purchased in a variety of flavors and pack sizes at the majority of US retailers – flavors include Mott’s® No Sugar Added Applesauce, Mott’s® No Sugar Added Mixed Berry Applesauce, Mott’s® No Sugar Added Strawberry Applesauce, Mott’s® No Sugar Added Blueberry Applesauce and Mott’s® No Sugar Added Cherry Applesauce.

Our workstation, fueled by Mott’s!

Mott’s truly believes in helping your child pursue their #ClearPassion – which is why they’re also hosting a special sweepstakes! Whether it’s a love of robotics or a passion for ballet, Mott’s wants to help your child shine, so they’ve launched the Mott’s #ClearPassion sweepstakes. From July 22 to August 30, parents can submit photos of their kids pursuing their passions via Instagram or Twitter by tagging @Motts and using the hashtags #ClearPassion and #Sweepstakes for a chance to win prizes that help amplify their kids’ personal passions. And one grand prize winner will also receive a year’s supply of Mott’s for their family!

For more information about the Mott’s #ClearPassion sweepstakes and the new clear applesauce pouches, visit www.Motts.com. And don’t forget to follow along socially on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube!

4 Tips For Safe Driving This Summer

August 20, 2019 by Beeb Leave a Comment

This is a guest post in collaboration with Kwik Fit.

Summer always seems to be the perfect time to go on last-minute road trips or weekends away with the family as a way to make the most of the hot weather and the kids being off. It can also mean late-night driving or driving for longer distances which can often get boring, especially when the rest of your passengers doze off and leave you with nothing to do but look out the window and out into the distant roads.

Keep Entertained

Being bored at the wheel might have you wanting to reach for your phone for a hot minute, but this can be a costly mistake. Kwik Fit has developed an interactive game that allows you to test your reaction time when using your phone on the roads to highlight the importance of staying safe on the road. Instead, why not prepare a music playlist with your family, or download an audiobook or podcast to listen to?

Sweet Treats

Long journeys can be hard, so why not reward yourself with some of your favourite snacks as a job well done? It’s important to mix it up and get a range of nutritious fruits and veg to allow for a slower energy release, and perhaps one or two more indulgent treats that will give you something to look forward to when you’re feeling jaded.

Stay Hydrated

Being dehydrated will always have you feeling sluggish, so it’s always important to have plenty of fluids at hand to keep you feeling awake. Getting coffees or a sugary drink can help give you an extra buzz if you need an extra boost.

Regular Stops

Often, being sat down for long periods can make you sleepy, so a perfect way to counteract this is by going for a brisk walk to wake yourself up and get those juices flowing again. Making regular stops will not only allow you to do this, but you can also freshen up and even buy those waters and coffees that you need so desperately as mentioned before!

These are just some ideas on ways to keep safe on the roads and make sure you aren’t #DrivenToDistraction, but if you are ever finding yourself feeling tired or losing concentration then it is always best to take a break and have a quick nap so you are keeping you and your passengers safe.

Family Fun Celebrating National Donut Day With Entenmann’s! (Plus $25 Visa Giveaway)

June 5, 2019 by Beeb 22 Comments

The coupons for product redemption, information, and gift card have been provided by Entenmann’s so that I could try the product and share my thoughts and information about Entenmann’s. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not reflect the opinions of Entenmann’s.

Did you know that National Donut Day is coming up this Friday, June 7th? Our family loves donuts – in fact, we even had a heart-shaped “Donut wall” at our wedding! I will always have fond memories of watching our flower girls run around eating donuts before the ceremony. Since donuts are synonymous with family fun for us, we naturally had to put together a National Donut Day celebration with a little help from our pals at Entenmann’s!

In honor of National Donut Day, we picked up a few packages of our favorite Entenmann’s donuts and took them over to Grandma’s house. We enjoyed an afternoon of tasty donuts, a game of Rummy-O, and a lot of laughs!

The flavor you’ll go nuts for!

Another favorite activity in our family is entering sweepstakes, as you may already know if you follow my adventures over on Contest Corner. So I’m super pumped about the Entenmann’s Fan Flavor Challenge & Sweepstakes! In honor of National Donut Day, Entenmann’s is looking for the next great donut flavor – and it might be created by you! Through June 14th, Entenmann’s fans can use the “Flavor Maker” on their website to create their own fabulous donut flavor. Choose a base, flavor, glaze, and a topping, then name your creation and submit it along with a little summary about what makes you an Entenmann’s donut fan. Each “Challenge Entry” will be reviewed by a panel of judges based on originality, passion and creativity. There are fab prizes up for grabs, including $5,000, a year’s supply of donuts, and a chance to have your donut creation made during the 2019 holiday season! And if that wasn’t enough, you’ll also have the chance to share the news about your donut creation on Facebook or Twitter to receive one entry into the bonus sweepstakes for a $1,000 prize and a year’s supply of donuts!

Entering the Entenmann’s Fan Flavor Challenge & Sweepstakes

Being the “Sweeper” that I am, I naturally hopped on my computer and got to work creating my own donut masterpiece! The donut I created is chocolate with Irish Creme glaze, topped with pink and rainbow sprinkles, which I named “Mom’s Treat” in honor of this blog. I chose the flavor and glaze because I think chocolate and Irish Creme is the perfect treat for busy moms at the end of a long day! The sprinkles are in tribute to my love of pink and bright colors. I hope this donut gets made someday just so I can eat it myself! 😉

From our family to ours, we wish you a happy National Donut Day and good luck in the Entenmann’s Fan Flavor Challenge & Sweepstakes! Here’s all the links you’ll need to enter:

To get more information, read the official rules, and enter the Entenmann’s Fan Flavor Challenge & Sweepstakes, visit http://www.Entenmanns.com/fanflavorchallenge and follow the instructions to create and share your own donut masterpiece. And for more on everything Entenmann’s, visit their official website and follow along socially on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Bonus: Enter to Win a $25 Visa Digital Gift Card!

And the fun doesn’t stop there: In celebration of National Donut Day, Entenmann’s is also giving away a $25 Visa digital gift card to one lucky MomStart winner!

To Enter:

To enter, please use the Rafflecopter widget below. While Entenmann’s is providing the gift card, MomStart is responsible for hosting and administering the giveaway, which ends on June 9th, 2019 at 11:00 PM PST. The winner will be drawn the next day; and please take note of this important detail: For this specific giveaway, the winner will have just 24 hours to respond to our winner notification email, or a new winner will be chosen in their place, as the deadline for this fun National Donut Day promotion is next week. Also note that the $25 Visa virtual gift card can be used for online purchases only. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, 18+ – sorry, no P.O. boxes. Please see the Rafflecopter widget for full details; and click here to read our giveaway rules.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The ONE Smart Keyboard Pro: The Best Father’s Day Gift You’ll Ever Give

May 20, 2019 by Beeb 2 Comments

Thanks to The ONE for providing a Smart Keyboard Pro for review!

My husband Jai is a self-taught pianist. He plays classical music by ear, inspired by his love of Chopin, and even recorded some of the music that we played during our wedding ceremony. He bought his first keyboard in 1996, and it served him well – when he moved back to Oregon from Arizona, he made the drive with the keyboard sticking out of the sunroof in his Camaro. It had a good run, but finally wore out not long after our wedding. A quality piano is an investment, and getting a replacement went on the backburner while we prioritized wedding expenses. Newlywed life has been jam-packed, and before we knew it, over a year had gone by without Jai being able to play. I think it’s criminal for someone like him to go that long without a piano, so I thought that a replacement would be the perfect gift for his birthday this year.

So when I received an email suggesting The ONE Smart Piano for our Father’s Day Gift Guide, it immediately caught my attention. Looking through their website, I learned that The ONE make a line of Smart Pianos that actually pair with your smart device, so that you can use their app to read and play along with sheet music, video lessons, and piano games like Synthesia, all while being guided by LED lights on the piano that light up as you follow along and learn new songs. It looked absolutely perfect for a techie like Jai, so I thought this was perfect timing! They shipped me The ONE Smart Keyboard Pro along with a stand to review, and to make the timing even more perfect, it arrived two days before Jai’s birthday. I managed to hide the two large boxes in the closet behind my wedding dress, so Jai was none the wiser about his birthday surprise. Thank goodness for poofy wedding dresses!

On Jai’s birthday, I gave him his card and wrapped presents. After he opened them, I told him I had one last gift that was too big to wrap, and that he should wait upstairs while I got it out. I dragged the boxes out of the closet and into the living room, then told him to come out. Jai walked into the room, and his jaw immediately dropped. He stared at the box, completely speechless, then asked me: How did you know that this was my dream piano?!

Unbeknownst to me, Jai was already extremely familiar with The ONE. He had browsed through pianos looking up what model he’d like to eventually get, and determined that The ONE Smart Keyboard Pro would be the ideal dream piano. He told me that he had watched every video on YouTube about this piano, and asked if I had somehow seen it in his watch history and known that it was the “ONE” that he wanted (pun intended). I couldn’t believe it! I had never heard of The ONE until they reached out to me, and while I knew that such a high-tech piano would be an amazing gift, I had no clue that this exact model was Jai’s perfect dream piano. It was complete serendipity and just added to the awesomeness.

Learning all about The ONE, I can easily see why it would be any pianist’s dream piano. I had already planned to do a video about the keyboard, and since Jai has already watched all of the existing YouTube videos about The ONE and is the expert here, I thought I would hand the video creation over to him. Take it away, Jai:

After I gave Jai the The ONE Smart Keyboard Pro and he had finished picking his jaw up off the floor, he told me that this was the best birthday gift he has ever gotten in his life. I’ve never seen someone so floored by a present before, and I don’t think I would ever be able to top this one. If you’re looking for a Father’s Day present that will get a reaction, I can confidently recommend The ONE! Whether your Dad is an experienced or aspiring pianist, this is THE keyboard to get.

If you want a full 88-key piano for your home, The ONE Smart Keyboard Pro retails for $918.99 and will be a treasured staple in your family room for years to come. But if Dad is just starting out with a dream of learning how to play and wants to just dip his toe in the water, the 61-key The ONE Light Keyboard is great for beginners and budget-friendly at only $299 – you can even buy it on Amazon!

The thing that’s perfect about The ONE for beginners is that you’re not just getting the piano – you’re also getting free, lifetime piano lessons built-in thanks to The ONE Smart Piano app. This is an incredible way to learn how to play, with interactive sheet music, rhythm games and over 100 free video lessons; you can also purchase additional sheet music if you desire. With the app guiding you every step of the way, you’re getting lessons for just the cost of the piano, which is an amazing way to make the dream a reality of you’ve always wanted to learn piano but didn’t have the time or money for lessons. You can practice for as long as you want, whenever you want, any time of day right from the comfort of your home. So whether your Dad has been playing for years or always wanted to learn how, a Smart Piano from The ONE is your way to make his dreams comes true.

To learn more, visit SmartPiano.com and make sure you follow them on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube!

diskAshur2 Portable Hard Drive: Protect Dad’s Data This Father’s Day

May 16, 2019 by Beeb 1 Comment

Thank you to iStorage for providing the diskAshur2 for review!

One of our “Featured Picks” in this year’s Futuristic Father’s Day Gift Guide For Techies is the diskAshur2 portable hard drive. And today, I’m going to give you an in-depth look at what makes this such a great gift pick for Dad!

My husband and I both work in tech-related fields: Jai does computer repair, while I work full time in blogging & social media field. This means that we use a lot of portable hard drives in our household! He uses them to take open source utilities and programs to his customers when doing housecalls, while I use portable drives to transfer media files between computers and back up files. With the amount of video and image content I create, my hard drive fills up fast!

So when I had the opportunity to review a diskAshur2 PIN authenticated portable USB 3.1 hard drive from iStorage, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. When the package arrived in the mail, Jai was quite literally in the process of clearing off some of our hard drives to make space for some large video files that I needed to transfer. I had planned to surprise Jai with the diskAshur2 on his birthday a few weeks later, but since this was the exact thing we needed to save time and make our job easier, I couldn’t hold out on him, so I handed it to Jai and told him to consider it an early birthday gift!

Right out of the box, Jai was immediately impressed that diskAshur2 not only comes with a has an integrated cord built right on, but a separate high-speed USB extension cord as well. The built-in cord ensures that you never have to fuss with making sure you’ve got the right cord available, while the extension allows you to use it with any setup and is just a generally useful thing to have around for all kinds of applications.

We began using diskAshur2 immediately, transferring all those big video files. Since this drives utilizes USB 3.1, it’s efficient and transfers files quickly. The diskAshur2 line comes in a variety of colors and sizes ranging from 500GB all the way up to 5TB – our model is a spacious 2TB in Fiery Red, since I love bold colors! Having several colors to choose from is also extremely handy to avoid confusion if you have more than one. Just as a portable hard drive, diskAshur2 is fantastic, but what makes it stand out even more is how much peace of mind it brings with its security features.

The diskAshur2 is a hardware encrypted drive that has a keypad built-in, allowing you to secure the data with the pin 7-15 digit PIN. This means that no one can access the drive unless they have the PIN; if the drive is stolen or lost, it even has a “Self-destruct” feature to protect the content if someone enters the wrong PIN 15 consecutive times, and the buttons are coated with wear resistant epoxy so that your PIN can’t be guessed by looking at which buttons have worn down over time. You can even set a specific “Self-destruct code” to wipe everything intentionally, and in case of emergency, you can reach over and hit the lock button on the diskAshur2 to immediately disconnect it from the computer. If you want a gift that will make Dad feel like he’s using a James Bond gadget, this is just the ticket!

The security features are impressive, and really go above and beyond. The 7-15 digit PIN is not easy to guess, in part because the 10-digit keypad also has a shift key, which increases the number of combinations you can do. In addition, you can set an admin PIN and then assign PINS to other users, either for ongoing use or just on a one-time basis for read/write or read-only access. This is great for Dads to grant access to kids while still being able to monitor and control usage!

You may be thinking to yourself, “I don’t need that much security”. But the sad fact is that in today’s world, you have to really guard your data. Everything we do is digitized now, from tax returns to bank account data, and hackers can and do compromise sensitive data all the time. The diskAshur2 has so many practical applications for both Jai and myself: For me, I do so much traveling for work that security is really important. I can’t tell you the number of blog posts and emails I’ve written in airports, hotels or even cabs while traveling for press events, and having my equipment lost or stolen is a real risk; a portable hard drive like this helps to safeguard my data. And since Jai does so many computer jobs on site, traveling with a hard drive is a regular and necessary part of his job; an encrypted drive is perfect to secure both his and his customers’ files.

I’ve become a big fan of iStorage – I also tested out one of their datAshur Pro flash drive earlier this year as part of our Valen-Tech Gift Guide, and I’m really impressed with the company and the quality of their products. So if you’re looking for an awesome gift for Dad this Father’s Day, I highly recommend the diskAshur2!

The 2TB diskAshur2 in Fiery Red is available for £289, which is $369.52 USD – yes, they ship internationally! The drive is available in a variety of sizes and price points, so there’s something for every need. To learn more, be sure to visit iStorage-UK.com and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube!

Futuristic Father’s Day Gift Guide For Techies

May 14, 2019 by Beeb 9 Comments

Thank you to the sponsors who partnered with us for our Futuristic Father’s Day Gift Guide For Techies! This page contains affiliate and Amazon Associates links.

This year, Father’s Day will land on June 16th. Dads can be hard to shop for, but in this modern world of online shopping, there’s no need to give a tired old gift. We’ve compiled a list of the best Father’s Day gifts for techies – from amazing gadgets like robots and headphones, to a high-tech take on classic gifts like ties and fishing gear, this gift guide has you covered with amazing presents that every Dad will love!

Featured Picks

We’ve selected four of our favorite products from this year’s Gift Guide to highlight as our 2019 top picks for Dad:

The ONE Smart Keyboard Pro

Suitable for both beginners and the experienced pianist, the The ONE Smart Keyboard Pro 88-Key Portable Digital Piano with wooden stand & 3 pedals is a gift that will grow with you and bring the whole family joy for years to come.

Meet the world's first Apple MFi-certified Smart Piano! When you attach your smart device the Smart Piano, you can use the app to browse interactive video lessons, LED light-guided sheet music, and piano games. No matter how long you've been playing piano for, you've never seen anything like this before.

Buy Now - $918.99

The ONE Light Keyboard

The ONE Light Keyboard, a smart and interactive keyboard that can teach dads of all ages and levels to play the piano from the comfort of their own home for Father’s Day.

Available on Amazon and smartpiano.com for $299, The ONE Light Keyboard works with the free ONE Smart Piano app (Available on both iOS and Android) to provide users with interactive games, lessons, crash courses and 4,000+ versions of LED-guided sheet music. The Light Keyboard is a winner of the CES Innovation Award, National Parenting Product Award and Edison Award, and works with other MIDI based apps like Synthesia, Piano Maestro and Garage Band.

Buy Now - $299

diskAshur2

An easy to use ultra-secure, PIN authenticated, portable USB 3.1 hard drive with real-time AES-XTS 256-bit hardware encryption, software free design and super-fast data transfer speeds. The diskAshur2 has an easy-to-use keypad design enabling you to securely access the drive with your own unique 7-15 digit PIN and with software free setup and operation, the diskAshur2 is platform/device independent and works across all operating systems including all versions of MS Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Chrome, Thin Clients, Zero Clients and embedded systems. In fact, it will work on any device with a USB port! One of the unique and underlying security features of the GDPR compliant diskAshur2 is the dedicated hardware based secure microprocessor (Common Criteria EAL4+ ready), which employs built-in physical protection mechanisms designed to defend against external tamper, bypass attacks and more. Unlike other solutions, the diskAshur2 reacts to an automated attack by entering the deadlock frozen state, which renders all such attacks as useless. In plain and simple terms, without the PIN there’s no way in!

Buy Now - £159.00

iMemories

iMemories turns all of your home movies and photos into a digital format so they can easily be viewed, shared and enjoyed on every modern device. iMemories converts everything from 8mm films and VHS tapes to slides and negatives, creating modern digital files that can be accessed in the cloud from a bevy of devices, with a two-week turn around.

Getting started with iMemories is simple: Send in your memories using their SafeShip Kit and get a FREE quote, then approve your order before you buy. iMemories will digitize & enhance your memories, then ship back your originals. Give Dad a priceless gift this Father's Day with iMemories!

Buy Now - From $14.99

Learn more about these featured picks by reading our detailed reviews:

Great Gadgets For Guys

No matter what kind of tech toys your Father likes, you are guaranteed to find something perfect among these great gadgets!

GoFish Cam

Nothing says "Happy Father's Day" like new fishing gear - so this year, put a high-tech spin on a classic gift with GoFish Cam!

GoFish Cam is the new must-have for any angler. It's the most popular wireless underwater fishing camera. The camera is unique in that it sits right on your fishing line. It works with a mobile app so that you can experience the 95% of fishing that happens underwater. Not only do you get to takeaway incredible footage of the experience, but it's an amazing tool to learn more and increase your chances of catching more fish. Dad will love it!

buy now - $239.99

JBL Endurance Sprint

Let nothing stop your workout. Wireless and IPX7 waterproof, the JBL Endurance SPRINT headphones are always up for a run, and with Speed Charge you can get an hour of listening time after charging the 8hr battery for just 10 minutes. Supremely comfortable with FlexSoft™ ear tips and TwistLock™ technology, these secure fit buds were designed from the ground up to amplify your workout. They’re guaranteed never to hurt or fall out, while touch controls let you easily manage music and MagHook™ lets you secure them conveniently close at hand when you’re done using them.

buy now - $49.95

moto e5 play

The moto e5 play is the perfect device for a Dad in need of a reliable phone to get him through the everyday grind, allowing him to stay up-to-date on work emails and navigate the kids to and from their after-school activities. It gets him from sun up to sun down with all-day battery and allows him to snap high-quality pics of the kids with an 8MP rear camera and auto enhancement feature. The e5 play gives the practical dad everything he needs!

A water-repellent design safeguards Dad's phone inside and out. So, don’t worry about accidental spills and splashes. And never mind remembering a passcode: Your fingerprint unlocks your phone. (Availability varies per model.) The moto e5 playcan be found at most major U.S. carriers as well as Amazon, and starts at $99.

buy now - from $99

WD My Passport Ultra

With a new metal design and USB-C technology, WD My Passport Ultra portable hard drive (starting at $69.99 for 1TB) makes sure dad is boardroom ready.

buy now - from $69.99

SanDisk Ultra Fit with SanDisk Flashback

SanDisk Ultra Fit with SanDisk Flashback (first year free with the purchase of a Flashback-compatible SanDisk USB flash drive) lets dad access his USB drive content online, even when he doesn’t have the drive with him.

buy now - first year free

SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive

SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive (starting at $25 for 32GB) is the perfect companion for the dad with an iPhone and a long to-do list. This Father’s Day, let’s take one of those to-do’s off his list with the iXpand Flash Drive, which will make sure all those precious memories with his kids are never lost and kept safe.

buy now - from $25

Yeti Nano

Yeti Nano is the perfect tech gift for the gamer Dad, podcasting Dad, conference call Dad or YouTube Dad! You don't want to sound like an amateur when you're hosting your podcast, starting your live streaming career, recording guitar, or even just Skyping with your boss. Yeti Nano is a premium USB mic inspired by the #1-selling Yeti mic, delivering Blue's legendary studio-quality audio in a new compact and streamlined design. The mic comes in four sleek styles that look great on camera and on any desktop. Yeti Nano is essential to any creators' wishlist.

buy now - $99.99

Mercku M2 Router

The Mercku M2 router eliminates those pesky network dead-zones throughout your home, performs nearly twice as fast as the industry average and can support up to 60 devices, great for anyone that might be looking to build a smart home. A gift Dads will love, the device also offers an app to customize network speed, security and includes a range of parental controls to manage kids’ screen time, data usage, etc. It also features sleek hardware that won't be an eyesore on Dad's coffee table, on his desk in his office, or anywhere else.

buy now - $119

HACK

HACK ($299.00) is the perfect Father’s Day gift for Dads to play with their kids as they learn how to code.

The first laptop designed to encourage kids to code and problem solve by inviting them to hack. Equipped with an innovative Flip-to-Hack feature, users can join Hack characters that act as guides, on immersive, educational, adventures. Through the playful narrative users become familiar with computer coding language and acquire basic coding skills at their own pace. Every month new educational and gaming content is added to the experience featuring new episodes, characters and new challenges requiring different kind of the skills.

The award-winning ASUS laptop comes with all the apps and tools families need for everyday use, including Chrome, Calculator, Skype, Office Suite, Scratch, Spotify, Steam and more. Recognizing that many parents are eager to introduce STEM to their children, Hack is a dual-purpose laptop great for everyday use and STEM education. Learn more at hack-computer.com!

buy now - $299

Expression Premium XP-7100 Small-in-One Printer

The 5-color Expression Premium XP-7100 wireless Small-in-One printer delivers superior photo quality and versatility, ideal for productive, creative families. Save time with a 30-page Auto Document Feeder and auto 2-sided printing, copying and scanning. Print vivid, borderless photos up to 8" x 10", or on specialty paper and DVDs. The intuitive 4.3" touchscreen allows you to view, edit and print photos, directly from a USB or card slot. And, you can easily print from your tablet or smartphone — with or without a router — at home or on the go. Plus, print 4" x 6" photos in as fast as 12 seconds, as well as custom projects with the Creative Print App.

buy now - $199.99

Trekz Air

Built with the next generation of bone conduction technology, Trekz Air are AfterShokz's lightest and most organically designed open ear headphones to date. AfterShokz cut the bulk and used titanium everywhere possible to ensure they not only fit more securely but sound better too. Trekz Air are inspired by the demands of elite and aspiring athletes motivated by their music and their world.

buy now - $149.95

Tail it

GPS Trackers from Tail it Technologies are perfect for the Dad who loves playing around with gadgets:

-The original Tail it is a mini GPS tracker so small it can be hidden almost anywhere. With global range and more than 2 weeks battery time on a single charge, it will give you its location within seconds. Our mini GPS tracker comes with both waterproof USB charger and QI wireless charging

-Tail it+ boasts a long battery time: A super thin GPS tracker with 8 weeks battery life on every charge, the tracker is only 0.35inches thick (9mm) and is no bigger than a Visa-card. Charge the GPS tracker with QI wireless charger or by USB-C charging.

These GPS trackers are top of the line, EU GDPR secured and have encrypted firmware.

buy now - from $99

myCharge UnPlugged 10K

Extend the battery of your Qi-enabled phone with the Unplugged10K wireless charging portable battery. This 10,000mAh wireless portable charger is not only certified to Qi standard but also meets the Apple and Samsung Fast Charge standard; delivering up to 10 Watts of power. The 10 Watts of powers ensures the absolute quickest wireless charge on the market. Ditch your cables and simply drop your smartphone on the powerbank and charging will start upon contact. Additionally, two USB-A ports allow you to charge up to three devices at a time.

buy now - $69.99

Vector

Anki’s Vector robot is the perfect gift for any father looking for a buddy to fist bump when your team scores a point when watching the game.

Not only is Vector jam-packed full of robotics & AI technology, but he’s designed to feel alive with a wide range of emotions and help with many simple tasks around the house. These include taking a photo, answering questions, setting timers and playing games, to name a few. Not only this, but Vector is integrated with Amazon Alexa.

Vector’s more than a home robot. He’s your buddy. Your companion. Most of all, he’ll make you laugh. Curious, independent, and powered by some preposterous tech and AI, he can read the room, express the weather, announce when his timer’s done (no overcooked dinner on his watch), take the perfect snapshot, and so much more. Vector is your robot sidekick who’s up for anything. He’s the robot to life with.

buy now - $249

ALL-Terrain Sound

The go-anywhere speaker that can handle it all. With the largest carabiner clip on the market, this waterproof and rugged Bluetooth speaker clips to just about anything. Enjoy 14 hours of music on one charge and keep your phones out of harm’s way while you skip songs, adjust volume, and even talk on the phone all directly through the speaker. Whether you’re playing a round of golf, hiking the trails, or simply relaxing around the house, ALL-Terrain Sound boats incredible sound clarity and volume.

buy now - $40

Motorola Solutions T265 Sportsman Edition Talkabout Two-Way Radios

The Motorola Talkabout T265 two-way radios are ideal for use when out of cell phone range at the lodge, on the trail, and in the deer stand waiting for the big buck. These are specifically designed for hunters and serious outdoorsmen. They feature 2 push-to-talk earbuds with microphone, reliable two-way communications, up to a 25-mile range, hands-free capability, NOAA weather channels, 20 call tones and dual power. The T265 also comes equipped with 2 Micro-USB wall charging cables and a handy camo carry case, making them easy to pack for the next hunting expedition. Two-way radios provide peace-of-mind in the great outdoors by allowing hunters to stay connected and hear important weather alerts when out of cell phone range.

buy now - $84.99

USBThere Complete Phone Charger Lock Kit

Unlike a single charger, the USBThere system actually locks your charging cord and cube in place with a special security screw. The kit installs on any outlet cover and secures your charger in just seconds. Lock it. Leave it. Love it!

The USBThere kit includes:

-USBThere bracket

-Security screw and key

-3.2 ft. retractable 3-in-1 USB charging cord (Apple, Android & Type C)

-5V 1A charging cube

buy now - $19.99

Personalized Skyway Bluetooth Headphones

Show Dad how much you care with a pair of personalized headphones! Make these headphones as special as your father by adding your own custom text and artwork. Add your Dad's name, special dates, your child's artwork - the only limit is your imagination!

These fully customizable Skyway Bluetooth Headphones from Promotion Choice feature 2 large decorating areas directly on the earpieces of the headphones. The padded headband and plus earpieces will allow you to listen to your favorite song in comfort. The headphones feature built in music control and a mic. Enjoy up to 6 hours of music on max volume on a single charge. Includes a micro usb to usb charging cable and a 3.5mm auxiliary cable. Bluetooth working range is 10 meters (33 feet).

Buy Now - $193.60

Adonit Pro 4

Adonit, the award-winning consumer electronics manufacturer, is adding to their family of revolutionary products with its launch of the Adonit Pro 4. Note-takers, mobile gamers and artists can now sketch, write and navigate on any touch screen surface with precision and accuracy thanks to the Pro 4 stylus and its exclusive precision disc. Its sleek and streamlined design creates awhole new user experience and raises the standard when it comes to style in the 21st century.

Use our exclusive coupon code MOMSTART20 to get 20% off!

Buy now - $29.99

Adonit PhotoGrip Qi

Adonit, the award-winning consumer electronics manufacturer, is changing the way people take pictures with their smartphones thanks to the Adonit PhotoGrip Qi. Capturing life's most important moments has never been easier as the PhotoGrip Qi creates the opportunity for any and all users to capture the best image every single time. The Adonit PhotoGrip Qi features a 3000mAh battery for wireless charging and is compatible with any 4.5 inch or larger smartphone. Whether you prefer the standard photo, “selfie” portrait or the added stability of a tripod, struggling with your smartphone camera is now a thing of the past.

Use our exclusive coupon code MOMSTART20 to get 20% off!

buy now - $59.99

ZUS® Universal HD Car Audio Adapter

Stream music wirelessly in any car! Enjoy bluetooth capabilities from answering calls to listening to HD music hands-free. Compatible with any bluetooth smartphone (iPhone, Android, Blackberry, etc.) and for all cars with or without an AUX port. Works with all cars with an AUX input or FM radio. Powered by any USB charger.

buy now - $39.99

ZUS® Smart Vehicle Health Monitor

Monitor, diagnose and predict vehicle issues and more. Ergonomic design to ease installation. The Smart Vehicle Health Monitor is the most compact OBD product in the market. Its simple and sophisticated design makes it a convenient companion in every car. The ZUS® Smart Vehicle Health Monitor is designed to be easily installed - just plug it into your car’s OBD II port and you’re ready to go. Keep tabs on your engine health with real-time alerts and decode engine error codes, which normally costs a $100 trip to the mechanic.

buy now - $59.99

ThinOptics Frontpage Collection Reading Glasses

The slimmest and lightest Frontpage Collection reading glasses in the world are now available as a blue-light-blocking line of computer glasses. The advanced polycarbonate lenses are imbued with a mild yellow filter to mitigate harmful blue light from the LEDs bombarding us from computer screens, phones, tablets, and office lights.

The Frontpage Collection reading glasses are only 9 grams, making them the lightest and slimmest reading glasses in the world. The glasses are paired with an exquisite 4mm case slender enough to stick on the back of your phone. Frontpage Collection reading glasses are always with you.

The Milano case fits nicely on iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus, or iPhone X. A solution to attach the case to Samsung Galaxy phones is coming soon.

Buy now - $49.95

AuraBox Speaker

This is the tech gift to give to your Dad if they're all about extra effects. The Aurabox is the life of the party, your own personal assistant and Bluetooth music speaker all in one. It has a variety of light shows that will play as they listen to their favorite tunes, and they can even create their own personal light display.

buy now - $49.99

KontrolFreek Gaming Lights

Light up your game with KontrolFreek’s Gaming Lights. Our USB powered LED strip kit allows you to create an immersive and customizable lighting experience to complete your setup and even improve your picture quality. Personalize your look with multiple options for colors, effects, speeds and brightness as well as configurable length up to 9ft/2.74m. The perfect gadget for adding ambient lighting to office desks and gaming setups!

BUY NOW - $24.99

KontrolFreek FPS Freek Vortex

KontrolFreek performance thumbsticks are gaming accessories that attach to the controller for your PS4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch. As an affordable way to customize stock game controllers, they're a great gift for gamer dads who want to customize their game controllers to fit their needs.

Vortex combines one high-rise stick for precision and one mid-rise stick for added grip and comfort. This combo translates to better control and accuracy over your OEM sticks and can be used for first and third-person shooters, action/adventure and more.

Vortex boasts a bright orange color scheme and a distinct spiral pattern that adapts to the pressure you put on it, so the harder you play, the harder it works to keep your thumbs from slipping.

buy now - $14.99

Mini Arcade Games: Ms. Pac-Man

Popular arcade games from decades past in a miniature size, featuring authentic game play and nostalgic appeal, with retro-styling and sounds just like you remember!

One of the most popular videogames of all time, Ms. Pac-Man features the beloved character moving through the maze to eat pac dots while avoiding the ghosts – help her get a power pellet to temporarily eat the ghosts and score bonus points!

Manufacturer: Basic Fun!; For Ages 8+, SRP $19.99

Buy Now - $19.99

ArT Wine Preserver

The easiest way to keep wine fresh! ArT is the perfect solution for tech loving dads who want to enjoy their favorite alcohol by the glass. This simple designs uses pure argon gas to displace oxygen. Argon is the preferred method to prevent oxidation in wine.

Features:

Trusted by winemakers

Top rated wine accessory on Amazon.com

Preserves wine for 7 to 30 days

Up to 40 bottles saved per canister

Buy Now - $14.99

Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2

Ultra-slim and portable, Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 is the perfect travelling companion and will fit into your briefcase or purse with ease. Even with a slim design, there's no compromise on sound. The powerful super thin speaker drivers and specially tuned acoustics deliver high-fidelity sound. The Esquire Mini 2 features a conferencing system with noise cancellation for crystal clear conference calls on the go. It supports up to 10 hours of playtime and comes with built-in powerbank to quickly charge your devices, so you will never run out of power again. With a variety of distinctive colors and included carrying pouch, the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 is the ideal companion for your next business or leisure travel destination.

Buy Now - $129.95

JBL Charge 4

Introducing the JBL Charge 4 portable Bluetooth speaker with full-spectrum, powerful sound and a built-in power bank to charge your devices. It features a proprietary developed driver and two JBL bass radiators that intensify sound with strong deep bass. Its high-capacity 7500mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery provides up to 20 hours of playtime. The speaker carries a convenient USB charge out to quickly charge your devices, such as your smartphone, so you will never run out of power again. The Charge 4 features a rugged design, IPX7 waterproof rated exterior and comes in a suite of cool colors. Together with JBL Connect+ it can wirelessly link more than 100 JBL Connect+ enabled speakers to elevate your listening experience.

Buy Now - $119.95

Caavo Home Theater Kit with Lifetime Service Plan

At Caavo, we're on a mission to end chaos around multiple remote frustration - ideal for men (and families) who love their entertainment and want to streamline to one remote that's easy to use!

Caavo's home theater hub and universal remote unifies all your streaming media players, apps, live TV and YouTube into a single experience - just plug everything into Control Center and say what you want to watch using our voice-controlled remote. Control Center finds all your options (free and paid) and helps you get the most value out of the devices you already own. We pair with Google and Alexa for a streamlined smart home experience. And say goodbye to 6 remotes, you only need 1.

Control Center is $99.95, with a service plan ($1.99 per mo, $19.99 per year or $59.99 lifetime).

Buy Now - $159.95

Wynd Plus

Wynd creates a bubble of clean air around you by removing dust, allergens, smoke, germs, and particulate pollution from your personal space. Since it filters harmful particles out of the air around you, Wynd helps you breathe clean air and stay healthy.. Wynd isn’t just an air purifier—it’s an intelligent personal air quality system. It monitors your environment and cleans as needed. Wynd is the size of a water bottle, so it’s easy to use anywhere—in offices, hotels, cars, public transportation, and more. Wynd is more than one device: It's an air quality tracker and purifier in one— and the tracker can actually detach for ultimate mobility.

Buy Now - $199

Luci Connect

MPOWERD’s first bluetooth enabled solar light features 36 LEDs and emits a magical diffused light with endless color possibilities. The iOS and Android mobile apps allows the user to set a timer, choose one of 3 preset lighting moods, create custom moods, control brightness, hue and speed of transition between colors. This light is waterproof, collapsible for easy packing and can be charged via USB in 2-3 hours or 14-15 via direct sunlight. Lasts up to 24 hours on a single charge.

Buy Now - $64.95

Aluratek Wifi Distressed Wood Digital Frame

Aluratek makes awesome Digital frames and has now just made them more style friendly for V-day. Aluratek's Digital Photo Frames are a wonderful way to bring your treasured photos and memories to life with incredible image clarity in rich and vibrant colors all on the TFT true color LCD at 800 x 600 resolution at an ideal 4:3 aspect ratio. The functional and stylish frame makes a great addition to any room of your house or office environment. With memory card reader and USB support, it is easy to share all your favorite photos.

Buy Now - $69.99

UNIVERSAL: All-In-One Travel Charger

Life should be about the journey, not reaching your destination before you need a charge. UNIVERSAL is your all-in-one charger no matter where life takes you. Use the built-in 6700mAh powerbank or included US, EU, UK and AU travel adapters to plug in and charge anywhere with USB-A, USB Type-C, or wireless charging for for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy.

Buy Now - $84.95

TITAN M: Dual Layer Flexible Steel Charging Cord

We've all seen it - the frayed cables, cords tied in knots, and the happy puppy (or rabbit!) chewing on our charger. TITAN solves all of that and more with it's industrial-grade cable that is wrapped in not one, but two layers of flexible, high-strength steel. The MicroUSB and USB connectors on TITAN are permanently sealed with a one-piece housing fused directly over the electronics and metal cabling. Meet the last charge cable you will ever need.

Buy Now - $24.95

FastFoto FF-640

Preserve what’s priceless. Quickly scan your photo collection in a whole new way with the innovative FastFoto FF-640 — the World’s Fastest Photo Scanner. Protect your photos and save time and money by doing it yourself. With the FF-640, you can scan thousands of photos — as fast as 1 photo per second. Single-step technology automatically scans both the image and handwritten notes on the back. Restore faded photos, and upload high-quality images to the cloud. Seamlessly digitize life’s special memories. The FF-640 was designed to accommodate fragile photos or even large panoramic photos.

In addition to photos, the FastFoto scanning system is a powerful document scanner for children’s artwork, bills and invoices, or other home or business documents. Scanning as fast as 45 ppm/90 ipm. FastFoto 640 Photo Scanner will scan documents to email, an online storage account, or any folder on your PC. FastFoto includes a TWAIN, is compatible with Windows and Mac OS and includes OCR software for creating searchable PDFs or scanning into editable formats like Word® and Excel® files. Features include:

•World’s Fastest Photo Scanner – scan thousands of photos as fast as one photo per second at 300 dpi
•High-Quality Scans – Scan images from wallet-sized to panoramic photos at up to 600 dpi

•Custom FastFoto Software – Bring new life to old photos automatically with Smart Photo Fix (SPF) Technology, red-eye reduction and color enhancement features

•Single-Step Technology – Single scan captures image and handwritten notes on the back

•Special Design – Special handling sheet, custom rollers and paper path to accommodate fragile photos

•Perfect Picture Imaging System – Epson’s proprietary image-processing technology optimizes image quality across printers, projectors and scanners

•Do More Than Just Photos – Scan and save documents and memorabilia; scan documents as fast as 45 ppm/90 ipm

•Organize Documents – Includes Document Capture Pro to create searchable PDFs for easy retrieval and ABBYY® FineReader® to scan to editable files

•Ideal for Life’s Special Events – Easily create slideshows, displays and more for anniversaries, weddings and family reunions

Buy Now - $649.99

Tech For Travelers

Is your Dad a traveling man? Make his trips a little brighter with these high-tech helpers:

SleepPhones® Effortless™

SleepPhones® feature a luxuriously soft headband that contains thin removable speakers to play music, audiobooks, meditation, white noise, or talk radio. SleepPhones® are fully padded with nothing sticking into the ears and are so much more comfortable than other headphones out there.

Our brand new Effortless version (That’s an Amazon’s Choice product) offers the same Bluetooth capability as our popular Wireless version with no-fuss induction charging—just lay the headphone on the charger.

SleepPhones® were developed by a family doctor and mom who needed a way to listen to soothing music after taking patient calls in the middle of the night. SleepPhones have helped thousands of people all over the world sleep and live better—and they are FDA listed as a medical device.

Buy Now - $149.95

Nod2.0 Sleep Upright Travel Pillow

Nod2.0 is a compact solution for getting great sleep on the go. Take it with you in your handbag, backpack or briefcase. It's the size of an iPhone!

While most traditional travel pillows add bulky layers around the neck, Nod2.0's patented design stabilizes the weight of the head by clipping to the rear of the seat back, allowing you to fully rest your head and neck while seated upright.

Nod2.0 works on all seat types for all height passengers and most importantly, doesn't interfere with others around you.

Buy Now - $39.99

Threads For Techies

Innovative technology doesn’t stop at gadgets, so we’ve also compiled some of the best high-tech apparel and accessories for Dad. From ties with stain-resistant technology to shirts that protect from the sun, there’s no reason to give Dad a boring pair of socks this year!

Coolibar UPF 50+ Men’s Outback Camo Boonie Hat

Coolibar offers clothing for dads equipped with technology that ensures that it blocks 98% of all UV rays, keeps the wearer cool in warm weather, and wicks away moisture.

The Coolibar UPF 50+ Men’s Outback Camo Boonie Hat features the following technology:

-UPF 50+ protects against 98% of UVA and UVB rays

-Packable chin strap hat, fully lined cotton crown

-Internal sweatband and elastic draw cord with toggle at center back for adjustable fit.

Buy now - $49.50

Coolibar UPF 50+ Men’s Baraco Fishing Shirt

Coolibar offers clothing for dads equipped with technology that ensures that it blocks 98% of all UV rays, keeps the wearer cool in warm weather, and wicks away moisture.

The Coolibar UPF 50+ Men’s Baraco Fishing Shirt features the following technology:

-UPF 50+ protects against 98% of UVA and UVB rays

-3Ddri SUNTECT®: Moisture wicking in small 3D grid pattern, lightweight and breathable

-Zipper closure chest pockets, hidden ring snap front closure with top button opening, snap button roll up sleeves, cape back for ventilation and breathability, shirt tail hem, and ventilation at shoulder seams, back yoke and under arms for breathability.

-Velcro pole tip holder, tri-fold collar for added neck coverage, and curved front hand shield for added hand protection.

Buy Now - $89.50

Coolibar UPF 50+ Men’s Long Sleeve Everyday T-Shirt

Coolibar offers clothing for dads equipped with technology that ensures that it blocks 98% of all UV rays, keeps the wearer cool in warm weather, and wicks away moisture.

The Coolibar UPF 50+ Men’s Long Sleeve Everyday T-Shirt features the following technology:

-UPF 50+ protects against 98% of UVA and UVB rays

-ZnO SUNTECT®: Super soft against the skin, lightweight, cool and comfortable with the highest quality zinc oxide protection.

Buy Now - $39.50

Denim Unspun

Welcome to the future of apparel. Digital customization. Automated manufacturing.

Denim Unspun is customized denim like you've never seen before. Unspun is a venture-backed robotics and apparel company, building custom jeans for each consumer, on demand. It starts with a body scan and a pair of jeans that celebrate you and your everyday extraordinary feats. Our mission is to reduce global carbon emissions by at least 1% through automated, localized, and intentional manufacturing. We’re a fast-moving company powered by technology, the National Science Foundation, SOSV, the Mills Fabrica and the H&M Foundation.

Buy Now - $250

The Magnetie

The traditional Father's Day tie just got high-tech! A 17th-century invention modernized for the busy working professional of today, Magnetie is an innovative necktie featuring a stain resistant coating, patent-pending embedded magnets that keep the tie in perfect place, plus modern reversible patterns designed by a former Nike creative director. Magnetie features:

Stain-proof DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating to withstand food & drink spills.

No tie tacks or tie loop needed to keep it in place.

Four unique reversible patterns developed for two ties in one.

100% silk for high quality look & feel.

Buy Now - From $60

Mixtotes

Mixtotes: Tote bags that launch Spotify playlists! Few things say “I care” more than a playlist. But copy-pasting a link isn’t very magical. Cue Mixtotes.

Chemical-free, Fairtrade produce and manufactured, un-dyed certified Organic cotton tote bags, adorned with your personal message and Spotify code.

The best way to share music you love with your friends, lovers, significant others, pets, haven’t-labelled-its, and everyone in between.

Buy Now - £11.99

Dad’s Best Friend: Futuristic Finds For Fido

Finally, we’re sharing some fun and high-tech items for man’s best friend for the dog-loving Dad!

Oxyfresh Squeaky Clean Kit for Pets

Give your pet a cutting-edge clean with Oxygene® technology! The Oxyfresh Squeaky Clean Kit for Pets features Pet Ear Cleaner and Pet Shampoo - safe, gentle and effective solutions for dogs and cats. They're the quickest and easiest way to care for your pets, clean their itchy, irritated ears; help remove wax buildup, dirt and mites; and shine up their beautiful coats, leaving them fresh and clean.

Buy Now - $20.95

Furbo Dog Camera

Gift the dog parent in your life a Furbo Dog Camera, the world’s first treat tossing camera for dogs. It’s the perfect last minute gift for anyone who hates being away from their pup during the day.

With Furbo, dog parents can keep an eye on their dog throughout the day, toss them treats, speak to them through a 2-way audio feature, as well as -- via the new Furbo Dog Nanny service -- receive:
24/7 Smart Alerts: Dog Activity Alert, Bark Alert, Dog Selfie Alert (yes you get a selfie of your pup!) & Person Alert

Cloud-recorded videos triggered by activity, barking or people in the frame.

Doggie Diaries- You will receive a 60-second timelapse of highlights from your pup’s day.

Buy Now - $179

Uncovering Lost Family Moments: Converting my Super 8 Home Movie With iMemories

May 3, 2019 by Beeb 16 Comments

iMemories converting a Super 8 movie into digital

Converting a Super 8 movie into digital – photo credit: iMemories

Thank you to iMemories for preserving my family memories and sponsoring this post!

As an “Elder Millennial”, I came of age at a very unique point in technological development. I learned to write on a typewriter, but composed all my articles on a computer just a few years later. When I was 12, I referred to our set of encyclopedias for information; when I was 17, Wikipedia launched. I also remember a time when you could leave the house without anyone being able to call you! And another telltale sign of my Millennial status? There is a lot less photographic documentation of my life. Don’t get me wrong, my parents took lots of photos – you know, on film cameras! – but pictures used to be something you took during a special occasion, not as a daily occurrence. And while our phones are now filled with videos of the most mundane activities, there are no videos of my childhood at all – except one.

When I was a toddler, my Mom knew someone who had a Super 8 camera and asked them to take a home movie of me. As a young family on a tight budget, my parents didn’t have a Super 8 projector at the time, but Mom thought it would be a great thing to have down the line. Super 8 became obsolete not too long afterwards, so we never did get a projector, and the film sat in storage for many years; none of us had ever seen it, but Mom knew it would come in handy one day.

She was absolutely right, but for different reasons than she anticipated. After my Mom passed away unexpectedly when I was 19, I inherited all the family photos and came across the film for the first time. When my Dad explained what was on it, I realized there was a good chance that my mom might would be on the footage, which made it so much more important than just looking at my baby photos.

Ever since I found the film, my husband and I have been keeping an eye out for Super 8 projectors at thrift stores, but they’re hard to come by. And the process of trying to convert and view the film myself made me really nervous: What if I try to play it and the film gets chewed up or burnt? What if I buy the wrong projector? After all, this movie was filmed in England before we immigrated to the US – would it even play on an American Super 8 projector? I wasn’t even sure until recently whether this was a Super 8 film or a regular 8mm film – they may sound like the same thing, but Super 8 and 8mm are two different formats requiring different projectors. Because of this, the home movie has sat in storage for the past 16 years, waiting until I figured out a way to watch it.

When I discovered iMemories, I knew immediately that I had found the solution. iMemories are a full-service digital conversion company based in Scottsdale, Arizona. They pride themselves on digitizing every format, from 8mm movie films and VHS tapes to slides, negatives and more. Here’s how it works: You mail your home movies and photos to their state-of-the-art facility, where they convert it to digital and then mail the originals back to you. Since iMemories handles such a wide range of now-obsolete formats, I thought they would be the best choice for converting my precious family movie.

To start the process, iMemories sent me their SafeShip Kit, which is currently on sale for $14.99. This kit includes a pre-paid shipping label and special packing materials to make sure your memories are protected and waterproof. You can also mail your items in using your own shipping supplies if you prefer not to order a SafeShip Kit, but given that this film is the only one of its kind, I wanted to make sure it was expertly packed and handled!

SafeShip Kit

SafeShip Kit instructions

Assembling my package was simple: First, I dug my Super 8 film out of storage.

My Super 8 home movie

Next, I used the included waterproof bags and shock resistant bubble cushions to carefully secure the film. The waterproof bags ended up being important, because I dropped my package off at the UPS shipping center during a bout of pouring Oregon rain!

Waterproof bag

Carefully packing my home movie

All secured with shock resistant bubble cushions

Next, I filled out the included Customer Card with all of my information.

Filling out my Customer Card

I slid the Customer Card into the enclosed folder and placed it on top of the bubble cushions.

Placing the Customer Card into the SafeShip Kit

Now that all of the contents were securely packaged, I attached the enclosed shipping label, taped the box up, and dropped it in the mail!

Sticking on the shipping label

Ready to ship

Handling this fragile home movie made me nervous, so I really appreciated how simple iMemories made it to protect and pack my film. The instructions that come in the SafeShip Kit are very clearly laid out and easy to follow. Knowing that the iMemories facility has a team of 200 people doing thousands of digital conversions every day made me feel secure that my priceless memories were in the best possible hands. This process is a mystery to most people, and it can make one understandably nervous to hand off such important items. So to help demystify the process for our readers in this post, iMemories actually took photos of the entire process of converting my film from start to finish, in order to show the journey my home movie took after it arrived at iMemories headquarters!

All photos credit: iMemories

Unboxing my SafeShip Kit

Examining my Super 8 movie

Bar coding to track my movie

Converting my Super 8 film to digital, frame-by-frame with advanced equipment

Restoring my home movie with digital editing by hand, including scene-by-scene color correction

Creating a DVD from the digital conversion

My Super 8 film is all done and ready to come home!

Once your memories have been converted, you can opt to just download your digital files, or you can create custom products from your files such as a DVD or thumb drive. I opted for a DVD, so that was included in my package when I received my original film back safe and sound. I was so delighted by the DVD, which features stills from my home movie on the cover. This would make such an awesome gift, and you can add a DVD to your order for just $9.99, so it’s definitely something I would recommend doing.

My iMemories order

iMemories updates you via email in real time as your clips become available to view online through iMemories apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, PC and Mac, so you don’t have to wait until you receive a DVD or your originals back to watch the conversion! As soon as my movie was ready to watch, I received a message letting me know that it could be found in my secure iMemories account. Finally, after all these years, I was going to discover what was on this footage. Would I see my mom on the film? Where was the home movie taken? I had absolutely no idea; this would be the first time anyone had ever seen this family movie.

If you’re an Elder Millennial like me, you will marvel at the contrast of how our childhood home movies have the same film quality as the Zapruder footage, while our current home movies are shot in Ultra HD 4k on an iPhone!

The movie comprised of three short segments: One taken at a local park in Peterborough, England where I used to play; a clip filmed inside our home; and a portion filmed in the back garden. Based on how old I am in the film, I’d say this was taken roughly around 1985. I was completely blown away by the movie: Both my mom and dad are filmed alongside me, and it’s crazy to see these places I remember just as they were – a still image doesn’t really capture the feeling of seeing life in action. I have distinct memories of all the places shown in this film, including the slide shown at the park – I actually have a scar on my forehead from that very slide, which I got on a different occasion where another child pushed me down on its metal steps…

It was powerful enough to watch footage of my mom for the first time after so many years, but even more amazing to me is the moment that was captured. As I swing on the swings with my mom and run through the park with my dad, the joy on our faces is so clear. My mom looks so vibrant and happy – the way I would always like to remember her. Watching this was very profound for me and left a deep impact on me for some time after first watching it.

Losing a parent young is always tough, and the circumstances can make it hard to hang on to those memories of happier times. The 16th anniversary of my mom’s passing is coming up the same week as Mother’s Day, and this year, I feel like I have been given a wonderful gift with this footage. I never really talk about this publicly because I’m a very private person, but it just wouldn’t feel right to write about this service while glossing over its importance to me. This is more than just a cute little family movie or a cool product; this is something that carries deep meaning for me, and will be very special to my Dad and the rest of our family. I’m so grateful that my mom, being smart and resourceful as she always was, thought to have this movie taken; and I’m so grateful that I finally got to see it.

Since I’m anxious to send this film to everyone who loves and remembers my mom, I’m especially appreciative of just how easy iMemories make it to share your finished product. If you want to simply download your files or email them directly to people from you iMemories account, you can absolutely do that; but to make it much quicker and simpler, I would recommend purchasing one month of iMemories Cloud storage for $5.99. This is the easiest way to instantly share with your family, as it allows you to provide your loved ones with a direct link to view the video on the iMemories website and download it to their own computer directly from there. It also has one-click buttons built in to share the video to Facebook and Twitter. This is great for me, because some people in my life will want to watch the movie on Facebook, while others in the family don’t use social media and will need it emailed or text messaged to them in order to view it. Since I can send them straight to the iMemories website, I don’t have to worry about uploading it to a third-party storage website or going over email attachment limits. Click here to view my home movie on the iMemories website and see how easy it makes it to watch and share videos instantly!

The world has changed a lot, so if you’re an Elder Millennial stuck in between technologies and not sure how to even watch your old home movies, iMemories provides the perfect solution. It’s also an ideal service to help our parents and grandparents preserve their special moments – no technical know-how needed. And while I had assumed that video conversion would be expensive, I was shocked to discover what a bargain iMemories offers. You’ll always receive a free quote after mailing your SafeShip Kit to iMemories, so there’s no surprises or unexpected charges; the conversion of my entire Super 8 movie came to a mere $12.99. I was stunned by how inexpensive this was! I couldn’t buy a Super 8 projector for that, never mind the equipment to hook it into the computer and edit it – not to mention the experience needed to do so effectively! iMemories use state-of-the-art equipment that incorporates modern HD camera technology and LED lighting to bring these memories to life, which no one could replicate at home for $12.99. And even if you have a Super 8 projector and know how to use it, film has a limited lifespan, so having these precious films backed up makes sure that they will always be around – because as us Millennials have learned the hard way, the Internet is forever! 😉

I couldn’t think of a better Mother’s Day tribute to my own Mom than this video. Converting your precious family moments with iMemories is a wonderful gift idea for any Mom or Grandma this Mother’s Day, so I highly recommend visiting iMemories.com or following along on the iMemories Facebook and Instagram pages to learn how you can transform life’s precious moments into a gift that will be treasured forever.

Pin it For Later!

I created this handy step-by-step graphic showing how to prepare your family mementos to send to iMemories, so you can Pin this to your gift idea boards and refer back to it when you’re ready to order! No need to be intimidated by the idea of converting your old movies and photos to digital – all it takes is a few simple steps!

Converting a Super 8 Movie to Digital With iMemories

Pin Me!

How to Make a Colorful DIY Baby or Pet Gate Using Unicorn Spit! (Plus Giveaway)

April 29, 2019 by Beeb 11 Comments

How to Make a DIY Baby or Pet Gate Using Unicorn Spit

Thank you to to Eclectic Products, makers of Unicorn Spit and Glaze Coat sponsoring this post!

Since adopting a pair of sweet rabbits, my husband Jai and I have become experts in bunny-proofing. Our bunnies Keeli and Kooper are house rabbits, which means that precaution must be taken to avoid any accidents, such as the buns eating something toxic or chewing up our cords. One of the ways we keep the rabbits safe is by having baby gates blocking off sections of the house that aren’t bun-friendly. We’ve been using standard step-over baby gates, and it’s been a bit of a hassle. I can’t count the number of times I’ve hit my ankle or juggled my groceries awkwardly trying to get through. Since Jai loves woodworking and is always coming up with creative solutions around the house, he decided to make custom, handmade cafe doors to replace the baby old baby gate with. Since I’m the color queen of the family, the rooms that we were planning to put the cafe-style pet gate in are painted red and black checkerboard and light pink and purple, respectively. So to make sure the new cafe doors matched the house, we finished them using Unicorn Spit!

No, I didn’t use the Unicorn Spit to paint my nails – this was a total coincidence. Clearly, his was the perfect DIY product for someone with my colorful palette!

Wait, what?! Unicorn Spit?! No, I didn’t invite a unicorn over to my house to decorate these doors (although that is something I would totally do.) And no, this isn’t related to the unicorn bridesmaid dresses that my bridal party wore at my wedding, either! Unicorn Spit is a fabulous new one-of-a-kind gel stain and glaze. This colorful finish can be used on a plethora of DIY projects, from woodworking to jewelry, and pairs perfectly with Glaze Coat. As the name suggests, Unicorn Spit comes in a plethora of magical colors, so I couldn’t wait to create this colorful masterpiece! It turned out so fabulous, I just had to share the tutorial for anyone else in need of a better baby/pet gate!

Materials:

Lumber – we used recovered wood from an old futon

Cafe door pivots

Latch

Screws

Wood Filler

Unicorn Spit

Glaze Coat

Disposable cups

Paper towels

Tools Needed:

Table saw (jigsaw can work also)

Router

Measuring tape

Drill

Sander

Heat gun

Pencil

Instructions:

You’ll want to start off by measuring the doorframe where your cafe doors will hang so that you can size them correctly.

Cut the wood to fit your measurements using a table saw – we used reclaimed wood from an old futon frame along with some spare plywood. You can get creative and use whatever reclaimed wood you like!

Put the pieces in place and drill pilot holes, followed by the screws. You can use a spade bit to countersink the screws if they don’t reach. Once the frame is built, you’ll want to test the with your cafe swivel – you’ll need to do some trimming to get the right fit.

Using a router with a rabbet bit, carve a groove in the center of the frame for the plywood centerpiece to fit.

Cut the plywood sheet to fit inside the frame. Since the router rounds the corners on the inside, you’ll need to sand the center plywood sheet after you cut it so that it will be able to slide into the frame.

Once the plywood center has been slid into the frame, get all the joints sealed with wood glue and screw it back into place.

Repeat this process to create a second cafe door. Once both doors are complete, it’s time to have some fun with color!

Using a disposable cup, squeeze the Unicorn Spit into the cup one color at a time, creating a layer of several different colors.

Once you’ve built up several layers of different colors, pour the Unicorn Spit onto the center of each door. Pick up each side and gently tilt it to distribute the colors – this will create a cool marbled effect.

Let each side dry thoroughly, then flip the door over and repeat on the other side. We used different colors on each side in order to go with our color scheme, because the rooms that these cafe doors are connecting are red and black on one side, and purple and pink on the other!

You can tape up the sides to leave the border natural wood, or you can stain it with leftover Unicorn Spit from the cups. We split the difference, staining the darker side with the Unicorn Spit and leaving natural wood on the lighter side.

After the Unicorn Spit has completely dried, tape up the frame and cover the center panel with a layer of Glaze Coat. To do this, you’ll want to follow the instructions in the package and pour each part of the glaze coat into two disposable cups, so that you can control the amount and make sure you have equal parts. Then pour both parts into one cup to combine, stirring very thoroughly. Pour the glaze coat over the center panel.

Once the surface is covered, run a heat gun over the surface to pop any bubbles, and allow the glaze to set completely.

Once the glaze has completely hardened, remove the tape and sand the frame. If you stained the frame with Unicorn Spit, it will create a distressed wood look.

Once you’re finished sanding, all that’s left is to hang them in your doorway and install the latch – and hey presto! Your very own, miniature cafe doors!

For a visual demonstration, watch our fun how-to video on YouTube:

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Enter to Win:

To help you tackle YOUR next craft project, we’re giving away a selection of Unicorn Spit colors and Glaze Coat to one lucky MomStart reader!

To Enter:

Enter this giveaway via the Rafflecopter widget below. Giveaway ends on May 13th 2019 at 11:00 PM PST. This giveaway is open to US residents, 18+ – sorry, no PO boxes. Please see the Rafflecopter widget for full details and click here to read our giveaway rules.

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Get FREE Samples From PINCHme!

March 1, 2019 by Beeb 13 Comments

This is a sponsored post.

Anyone who knows me even casually probably knows how much I love freebies and samples. In fact, one of the first things I did when I got dial-up Internet access back in the ’90s was look up free sample websites! Freebie sites are a lot more sophisticated in 2019, and the samples have gotten even better. One of my favorite free sample websites today is PINCHme, which gives its members the chance to sample new products from top brands.

PINCHme is completely free to sign up for and is available to US residents – no credit card or shipping fees are required; all they ask is that you provide feedback on the products you receive. Here’s how it works: Each month, PINCHme releases a new batch of samples on “Sample Tuesday” for its members to claim. This usually happens on the second Tuesday of every month at 12 PM EST, so you’ll want to keep an eye out, because the samples are on offer while supplies last on a first-come, first-serve basis. The samples available to you are matched to your interests based on the preferences in your profile, and run the gamut from personal care and beauty items to food, pet products, baby items, cleaning products and more.

PINCHme recently sent me an example shipment of products to help me give you lovely readers an idea of what their sample boxes are like. Every member will receive different items based on their profile and what is available – sample boxes generally contain an average of 3 to 6 samples. Not everyone is guaranteed a sample box every month, but you’ll always have the chance to sign up for one-off freebies. I’ve been a member for several years, and I’ve been able to sign up for things like hair care and food samples on an individual basis along with receiving sample boxes. In addition, being a member gives you access to PINCHme Perks such as sweepstakes, partner offers and the chance to review products.

A Peek Into My PINCHme Box

Opening my sample box from PINCHme was so much fun – like opening your stocking on Christmas morning! I was so impressed by the selection of samples, which included full-size products as well as trial size. Even better, every single item was something that I will use – it really felt like a curated box of all the things I like!

Let’s take a peek at each item by category:

Health & Personal Care

Sundown Natural Multi+ Daily Immune Support: This is a full-size bottle of vitamins. I’ve been doing research on supplements recently, and this actually looks like a nice one for getting in Vitamin C during cold & flu season, so I’ll definitely be taking this.
Pacha Soap Co. Clarifying Charcoal Soap: I love getting samples of practical things I use every day, like soap!
Native Deodorant & Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense Sunscreen: I loved getting sample sizes of these items, because they are 3-1-1 compliant for air travel. I flew to Washington, D.C. in January and actually went out and bought both trial sized sunscreen and deodorant so that I could fit them in my travel bag. So these will save me money next time I fly, plus I get to try new brands.
Compeed Blister Cushions: During that same trip to D.C., I spent a full day walking around Capitol Hill in high heels before boarding my flight home. By the time I got to PDX airport, my feet were in so much pain I could hardly walk. Suffice to say, these blister cushions look like something I definitely need!!

Beauty

Garnier SkinActive Glow Boost 2-in-1 Facial Mask + Scrub: This is the product I was most excited about! I’m a big exfoliant evangelist, so I always jump at the chance to try a new one – a mask and scrub 2-in-1 is genius, and this is a full size jar that I will get much use out of!
L’oréal Pure-Clay Mask: I love face masks, so this is another winner for me.
Sauce Beauty Deep Moisture Hair Mask: Deep conditioning treatments are something I do frequently for my color-treated, bleached hair, so this was yet another perfect-for-me sample.

Food

RX Nut Butter Peanut Butter: I really like the bars that this brand makes, so I’m looking forward to trying this. It’s a nice handy packet I can toss in my purse for snack emergencies, and it will also work for my keto diet. Yay!
Starbucks Plus Coffee With 2x The Caffeine: I love Starbucks, and when I have a long day of deadlines ahead of me, you better believe I’m looking for new and creative ways to get more caffeine. AMAZING!

So if you love free stuff as much as I do, you’ll want to sign up for PINCHme right now! It’s 100% free, and 100% fun!

Ralph Breaks The Internet Bead Craft Tutorial

February 26, 2019 by Beeb Leave a Comment

Ralph Breaks The Internet Bead Craft Tutorial

Ralph Breaks The Internet shelf decorations

Our friend and resident MomStart writer Jessie has an amazing talent for crafts. After the first Wreck-It Ralph movie came out, she created a huge Ralph out of Perler beads that she hung up on the wall as a decoration. So in honor of Ralph Breaks The Internet coming to Blu-ray, Jessie and I got together for a fun crafting afternoon so she could teach me her Perler skills in order to make a Fix-It Felix as a sequel to the first craft!

Supplies Needed:

Pattern (See below)
Perler beads in an assortment of colors
Perler pegboards
Tweezers
Parchment paper
Iron

Assembly:

To get started, you’ll need an image or pattern to use as a guide for your beaded creation. When Jessie made Wreck-It Ralph, she referenced an image of 8-bit Ralph which she used as her base to recreate in beads. Depending on your skill level and preference, you can either use an 8-bit image for reference and recreate it freehand with the beads, or follow an embroidery pattern. Since this was my first foray into the world of Perler beads, we started with a more simple project by making Fix-It Felix. To create Felix, we referenced this pattern on BraceletBook.com by Maxie – this is actually a pattern for making a friendship bracelet, but because it shows the 8-bit character on a grid, it also makes a great guide for Perler beads. To create the beaded character, you’ll want to count the number of squares on the pattern, and place your beads in corresponding spaces.

So for example, we can see that in the pattern, Felix has three black squares at the top of his head; on the next line, he has two black squares, three dark blue squares, and three more black squares. Since the image is on a grid, it makes it easy to follow along and build the character bead by bead.

Since the beads are small, tweezers make it easier to place the beads on the pegboard.

Continue placing the beads in their corresponding spots based on the grid pattern until the character is filled out.

Once you’ve filled out the entire character, you’ll want to transfer the pegbords to an ironing board. We started this project on the floor and then carefully transferred each pegboard to the ironing board, but next time I would just start the project on the ironing board at the beginning so as to not risk having to move it.

Place a piece of parchment paper over the beads and heat up your iron.

Run the iron over the parchment paper. Once the beads have melted enough to firm up and stick together, flip your creation over and repeat the process on the other side; this will help make it sturdy and stay together.

And hey presto! You’re done!

Handy tip: For best results, we recommend Perler brand beads. Jessie made this Wreck-It Ralph about 5 years ago using a combination of Perler and off-brand beads, and she’s noticed that the spots with the generic brand have warped slightly over time. Ralph has still held up nicely, but to make sure your creations are as sturdy as possible, we’d recommend opting for Perler brand beads.

Finished decorations on the shelf

These decorations are perfect to place under shelves, since it resembles the retro gameplay aesthetic of Ralph and Felix climbing up a building! We used tacks to hang Ralph on the shelf – since Felix is smaller, you can just prop him up against the wall. This craft is a lot of fun for beginners and experts alike – and it makes the perfect rainy day activity to do while watching Ralph Breaks The Internet on Blu-ray!

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Ralph Breaks The Internet Bead Craft Tutorial

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