Levana Stella 2 Video Monitor (Review)

Disclosure: Items were sent for review purposes only, all opinions are completely honest.

Levana, a brand of high-tech, stylish and reliable baby monitors has came out with the Stella 2 Camera Video Baby Monitor. It comes with two cameras instead of one and has a 4.3” screen. Why choose a smaller screen when you don’t have to? This is something that you can’t afford to see half-way.

 

What's in the Box

• Baby Video Monitor
• Pan/Tilt/Zoom Night Vision Camera
• Rechargeable Battery
• 2 Power Adapters
• Instruction Manual
• 1 Year Warranty
• Lifetime Live Customer Support

A video screen this big is the next best thing to actually being in the room with your child. The screen can show each cameras view just by touching ONE button. That is pretty cool. Whether you have larger rooms or need to monitor more than one room, this is perfect!

The two cameras allow you to monitor more than one room in your home on a single monitor! They are great for babies and toddlers alike.

Stella features:

· Touch panel pan/tilt/zoom video baby monitor

· A powerful battery that will last up to 24 hours

· Talk to Baby two-way intercom

· Three soothing lullabies

· Invisible LED night vision

· Private ClearVu Digital Signal

· Expandable up to 4 cameras

User Interface Assessment

Easy to assemble, mount, and use even without using the directions. Pretty simple to figure out the features, because all the buttons are labeled. The two video monitors run via plug-in, while the parent unit can run via cord OR batteries. 

The parent unit is small enough to fit inside your pocket. This is handy if you need to clean the yard while your baby naps, or check the mail. It also has controls for audio, pan-tilt-zoom and multi-camera mode. The parent unit doesn’t beep but it does flash a red “x” when it’s out of range from the video monitors.

The range on this monitor is insane. So insane, that I ended up walking 4 houses down and audio AND Video was still super clear. I can’t imagine someone needing to leave their napping children at home to go any further than the neighbors house to borrow an egg. (Or so I hope not)

Image quality is very clear. Easy to tell if your babies awake (even in the dark) or what the munchkins are up to. It has a menu (3rd button) that allows you to set up your options such as sound sensitivity and screen brightness. Also has a super cool kick-stand that I use to sit the monitor on my desk or a shelf beside me.

I like that I can easily switch between viewing the two cameras. Seeing both screens at once would make the resolution smaller. One button and I can see the other camera via full size, which is awesome!

It is a color picture but only when used in direct lighting. When used at night or in low light, the picture will appear to be in black and white. This monitor doesn’t have temp reading feature like other monitors I’ve used. It’s not a MUST but handy with small children or large homes. It doesn’t matter in my house because I only have one floor, so all rooms are the same temp.

BEST USES

• Infants
• Naps
• Newborns
• Preemies
• Remote Monitoring
• Sleep

Tilt & Zoom

Using the monitor from anywhere in your home you can adjust the camera view horizontally 270° and tilt vertically 110° so you can see everything in baby’s room with the simple touch of a button.

The pan and tilt mode is a must-have in my opinion, especially a silent one. Pan/Tilt means that you can rotate/move the camera down/up and side-to-side. This lets you basically have eyes in the back of your head. (Didn’t your mama ever say that SHE had them? NOW you can!!) If your child moves to a space within the room that the camera wasn’t set on before, just adjust it with the pan and tilt buttons.

The only drawback I had with the tilt/pan feature is that it isn’t as smooth as some others I’ve had. Which takes slightly more time to adjust to exactly the spot you need it to be. That’s only because it seems to tilt/pan a little too much at a time, but it doesn’t take long to figure out.

Also that the zoom is separate from the tilt/pan. So you can only zoom into the specific area that the camera is selected to view. To zoom into other areas, you have to back out and re-adjust the pan and tilt to the area you want to see and THEN zoom back in. Not that much of a deal, but it would be awesome to zoom into the entire area of the room.

Private ClearVu Digital Signal

ClearVu technology provides you the outstanding precision and clarity of a digital signal from up to 750ft away. Stella has a private, secure and interference-free digital signal that no one but you can access.  Feel free to accomplish tasks inside and outside of your home, all the while knowing baby is safe and sound.

The monitor doesn’t have any background noise (whitewash sounds) or static. Nothing interferes such as cell phones or microwaves- not ours or our neighbors, which I especially like. The audio is very clear and has a very strong signal strength. I can do chores or work in my office without worrying my kids are dumping all their toys out in their toy room or getting into an argument about “she said this, he did that”. I can now listen in and see very clearly what’s going on.

LED & Night Vision

            

Invisible infrared LEDs provide a clear image of your child in the dark up to 12ft away. Your baby will sleep more soundly without the distracting red LED lights found on traditional baby video monitors Smart LED Indicator Ring Sound indicator ring changes color with the sound of your baby’s voice alerting you if she if crying out when you have the volume turned down and features adjustable sensitivity.

Two-Way Talking

Talk to Baby and calm them down  with with two-way communication. Let them know that your on the way the sound of your own voice as you head to the rescue. Levana parents also love this feature for communicating to each other when they need some help in the nursery.

Although my kids aren’t babies anymore, I still LOVE this feature. If they are playing in their playroom, I don’t have to constantly get up and check while I’m working. If they are doing something they shouldn’t be, I can warn them with the two-way talking feature. I don’t have to constantly get up while I finish up my work for the day. Makes working from home during the weekends 10x easier.

My kids think this feature is funny though. They try to use this as their own “walkie talkies”. One will come in my office and try to talk to the other through the Levana System. They also make weird faces at each other and do crazy stuff, it’s pretty funny to watch!

3 Remote-controlled lullabies

                                      

Does your baby love the sound of lullabies before bed and cry out for more when the music stops? Stella has three lullabies that can be remotely activated and changed by your parent unit.

Disclosure- I was given this product for review purposes and was not financially compensated otherwise.  All opinions are my own, based on my own use of this product.

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BIC Products (*New Releases*)- Shoplet Review

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the products or services mentioned in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and all opinions are 100% truthful. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

These office supplies were sent by Shoplet for review. I almost always jump at the chance to test new office supplies because I am totally addicted! I love getting new pens, paper, binders, etc. It makes me a very happy Jess!! How could I resist anyway? BIC has always been a top favorite of mine- affordable yet amazing quality + uniquely designed products.

BIC released 4 new products that I was very excited to test out. It's like an adventure! I get a chance to discover amazing things along the way. The products are the Cristal Stylus 2-in-1 Pen, Atlantis Comfort Ball Pen, Atlantis Exact Retractable Ballpoint Pen and the Magic Marker Brand Window Markers.

                

BIC Atlantis Comfort Ball Pen:
The BIC Atlantis Comfort Ball Pen is a sleek, stylish, retractable ballpoint pen that writes extremely smooth. The color of the barrel matches the color of ink inside. It has a comfort grip, long lasting ink, and a medium size tip. This pen is downright superb. That is all you need to know, right? That it’s so amazing that it is now on my favorite pen list now! Okay, okay, fine, I will tell you why it is so amazing.

The BIC Atlantis Comfort Ball Pen has a grip built in the pen, which is needed in every pen in my opinion. As a writer it’s important so my hand will not get cramps after long writing sessions. I love that I don’t have to take regular breaks to massage my fingers and hand.

The grip isn’t the sticky kind, which is also a plus. WHY? Those sticky grips are super annoying because they attract EVERYTHING! I’d find my dogs hair. my hair, dirt, and everything else stuck to the sticky grip pens. It’s very sleek and the grip is firm.

This pen is definitely made with quality ink. It writes extremely smooth- containing NO air or bubbles as I write, edit, and re-write. I love that doesn’t skip letters, so I don’t have to re-trace anything. Thoughts flow onto my paper and that is the way it stays. The comfort grip is something every writer, student, or teacher desperately needs and asks for! Relief at last!

 

BIC Atlantis Exact Retractable Ballpoint Pen:

                       
The BIC Atlantis Exact Retractable Ballpoint Pen is a sleek, professional, smooth-click retractable ballpoint pen. It has a full grip area for added comfort and control. It is also a fine point pen, which is why it isn’t on my top favorite list.

I like the way that they write, it’s not the pen- it’s the fine point. I don’t think I’ve ever really been drawn to fine point pens. I’ll use them, I just PREFER medium point if I can get it. There is absolutely no hesitation that this pen does give more precise and exact lines when writing. I just have a heavy hand when it comes to writing, which makes my writing sloppy when using fine point.

The pen IS very handy for writing in small print. So if you’re filling out an application or a form, this would be perfect. If you’re a fan of fine point or write small anyway, this is the perfect pen for you! The quality of the pen + ink is top notch, flowing nicely, smoothly, and no bubbles or air within the ink. No need to retrace what I’ve written. Adam LOVES these pens, they are HIS favorite. He favors fine point and has small writing, so he gives them an A+.

               

BIC Cristal Stylus 2-in-1 Pen:
The BIC Cristal Stylus 2-in-1 Pen offers the innovative technology of a stylus and the reliability of a ballpoint pen all in one product. It glides across screens smoothly and easily for fingerprint-free precision and control.

This is actually the first time that I’ve ever tried a Stylus + Pen, and I absolutely adore it. I don’t know why I haven’t gotten one before. I can now write on paper and scroll on my phone (researching) at the same time. As you can see the ink flows smoothly, and is actually TOP 5 of my favorite pens!

It has a medium size tip and just flows without incident. I want to stock up on these!! There’s no bubbles or air gaps within the ink. I love how it showcases my handwriting, and how comfortably it fits within my hand. I can write for long periods without cramping hands or fingers!! A+ from Stylish Southern Mama!!

The Stylus part of this pen is also top notch quality. It fills like air filled rubber and glides very smoothly on my Smartphone, tablet, AND computer touchpad. I love that I can use this on my computer as well to sign my name to contracts and tax forms. I couldn’t do that before, my signature looked like a Kindergartener had forged it. Now there’s no worries about having to explain awful electronic signatures or fingerprints all over the place.

I gave the second one to my Uncle Dave. He has a Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini and giant hands. It was frustrating for him to text people back when he got messages. He was usually using the voice button so he didn’t have to retype texts before sending them. Now he can just clip this pen + stylus into his shirt pocket and whip it out when it’s needed! A+

 

BIC Magic Marker Brand Window Markers:
The BIC Magic Window Markers feature a highly visible ink specially-designed to adhere to glass. These are definitely the best Window Markers I’ve ever used in more ways than one. They produce vivid, bright colors on both light and dark surfaces. The marker is easily removed when wiped with a wet cloth.

They are an amazing quality window marker. I LOVED that I didn’t have to shake the marker to bring the paint to the tip (Just open and use!) I also appreciated that I didn’t have to hold it at a weird angle to get it to actually work like other window markers. I used it on glass and plastic, with absolutely no smears or drips!. We made my daughter a “craft box” that we stenciled designs with craft paint and the window markers! I love the bullet shaped tip, it makes it so much easier to stencil/ draw with than a wider tip! Great for professional or decorative use.

     

Overall I am in LOVE with these new BIC products. They are always on top of their game. Now I have a new favorite pen (the Atlantis Comfort) and Pen+ Stylus (The Cristal). I would absolutely recommend these BIC products. I am especially attached to the Stylus + Pen. Not only does it write amazing but I can use the stylus on my phone, tablet, and even the touch pad on my computer! Makes life 10x simpler!

 

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Air Wick Announces NEW Life Scents Collection! Constantly Changing Fragrances!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post.

Have you heard? Air Wick is once again changing the home fragrance category with their NEW Air Wick Life Scents^TM Collection. This first of its kind collection features new scent technology with constantly changing fragrances crafted to mimic real life experience.

Air Wick® to Recreate Real Life Experiences with New Life Scents^TM Collection Constantly Changing Fragrances Help You Say What You Want to Say About Your Home

Unlike other home fragrances which feature only one scent, each scent uses patent-pending technology with three distinct fragrance notes that are easily experienced alone but also work together to provide one harmonious multi-dimensional experience which evokes unique, personal memories.

RB’s Air Wick® brand is introducing a first of its kind Life Scents collection, a collection of constantly changing fragrances that help us say what we want to say about their homes. The Life Scents collection features patent-pending technology that allows us to experience multi-dimensional fragrances at home.

Unlike ordinary home fragrances, Air Wick’s Life Scents collection is crafted to mimic real life experiences. Only Life Scents fragrances deliver a constantly changing, multi-dimensional experience of singular scent accords. Each Life Scents fragrance contains three distinct fragrance accords that are easily experienced on its own, however the notes also work together to provide one harmonious, multi-dimensional experience that evokes unique, personal memories.

“We wanted to create something that was truly innovative and new to the air care category,” said Tiffany McLaud, Air Wick Marketing Director. “The story your home tells is an important one and we wanted to provide consumers with a fragrance technology that helps to curate and personalize that story.”

How It Works: With their new Mom’s Baking fragrance, one person may smell vanilla first while another will immediately smell the scent of a homemade pie crust or a layer of baked pear.

Air Wick has also launched its Scent Decorator, a new tool designed to promote self-expression in the home.

Users are asked to choose a combination of images that match the environment they are looking to create at home. After selecting images, users are provided with a page detailing the desired mood, as well as Air Wickfragrances, home décor tips, and DIY projects they can use to curate their homes.

Both the Everyday and Spring collections are available in Scented Oils and Freshmatic Automatic Spray Refills in the following scents:

The Everyday Collection includes: Mom’s Baking, Paradise Retreat, Summer Delights and Sweet Lavender Days!

The Seasonal Spring Collection includes: Lush Hideaway, Mystical Garden, Turquoise Oasis, & Sunshine Gardens~!

^Everyday Collection>

                                 

Say ‘Welcome Home’ with Mom’s Baking. Vanilla, Pie Crust, Baked Pear. Enjoy the aroma of caramelized pears with a hint of spice, baked inside a crumbly, buttery pie crust topped with cool vanilla cream. The fragrance creates a sense of coziness and inspires warm childhood memories at home.

                     

Say ‘Get Away’ with Paradise Retreat. Coconut, Almond Blossom, Cherry. Bring home your own exotic isle with the aroma of almond blossoms and a concoction of creamy coconut and sweet cherries, without ever leaving your living room.

                                

Say ‘Stay a While’ with Summer Delights. White Flowers, Melon, Vanilla. Use this scent to transform your home into a garden on a beautiful, breezy summer evening with its cool, fruity, floral combination of fresh cantaloupe slices, white flowers, and vanilla ice cream.

                           

Say ‘Relax’ with Sweet Lavender Days. Red Currant, Lavender Petals, Spun Sugar. Let the intoxicating aroma of endless lavender fields, layered with dewy summer berries and warm sugar cane, create a sense of comfort, freshness and relaxation in your home.

-Seasonal Spring Scents Collection>

                    

Say ‘Cool Down’ with Lush Hideaway. Wild Berry, Coconut Water, Fresh Mint. Let the invigorating aroma wild berries, fresh garden mint and splashes of refreshing coconut water create a cooling effect within your home, transforming it into a lush rainforest.

                  

Say ‘Let’s Reminisce’ with Mystical Garden. Rose, Raspberry, Marshmallow. Allow the blissful aroma of delicate pink roses and succulent plump raspberries, combined with sweet marshmallow to tell the stories of your childhood. Get lost in a maze of sweet memories, without leaving the comfort of your couch.

                     

Say ‘Summer is Near’ with Turquoise Oasis. Driftwood, Sea Spray, Warm Breeze. Turn your home into a seaside retreat as a warm breeze carrying salty sea spray washes over you, bringing with it the invigorating aroma of weathered driftwood.

                     

Say ‘Drift Away’ with Sunshine Cotton. Sunny Laundry, Sweet Sunshine, Coconut. Tell a story of warm sunny days at the beach, even during the dreariest April shower. This bright cheerful medley of fresh laundry, sweet sunshine and coconut will take you to the beach beneath gently swaying palm trees, warm sunshine and fluffy laundry-fresh towels.

Air Wick Scented Oils and Air Wick Freshmatic Automatic Spray refills from the Everyday and Spring lines retail for $4.99 at Walmart.

WE WANT TO SEE WHAT HOME MEANS TO YOU.

Tag #HomeIsInTheAir #ad on a picture of something that helps make your house a home. & be featured in the Air Wick online Gallery!! For inspiration check out the Home Is In the Air page. Don’t forget to post on Social media and tag Air Wick too!

     

Image Source: These are from the gallery on the Airwick page.. and are in no way MINE. Just thought they were pretty.

 

3 Must Have Legging Brands You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post.

Since the winter weather has finally slighted *thankfully* all I can think of is being outside. Whether it’s going for a run, playing football with my son, or bouncing around the yard with my daughter. I just want to be comfy and enjoy the beautiful SPRING!! How else to do it with shape fitting leggings that rock? The three brands below are all underground favorites! Whether you're looking for cozy loungewear, high fashion, or the perfect pair for your workout, one of these three brands will fit the bill.

THINK's Yoga Pants Help You Unwind

                          

THINK's comfy yet durable yoga pants are the perfect go-to piece whether you're on-the-go or simply taking time to unwind. Proclaiming the power of love, strength and positive thinking on the front and “it’s all in your mind” on the back waist band, THINK's yoga pants are the perfect combination of comfort and performance. $59.00 at www.thinkallways.com.

Go from Work to a Night Out with MeMoi

MeMoi leggings are a fun and fashionable line of quality leggings in a wild array of prints and solids. From their easy ankle zipper legging to their charming ruched Capri skeggings, no matter which pair you choose, you'll add a new touch of style and class to your wardrobe. Prices are around $45.00 and for a limited time, get 25% off with coupon code SNOWDAY. Check them out at:www.memoistore.com.

 

Just Live Leggings Featuring YOLON Technology

 

Just Live believes in giving life everything you’ve got--especially your workout. That’s why they have specially engineered YOLON, a cutting edge fabric which takes performance apparel to a whole new level.   The lightweight, second-skin feel will help keep you cool and looking fresh even in the hottest summer days.

  YOLON’s 24/7 Fit Technology benefits:

• Enhanced circulation and oxygen flow
• Reduces muscle recovery time
• Compresses the body for a lifted, toned look
• Obliterates odor
• Wicks away moisture
• Stain-resistant
• Exclusive UPF protective layer blend: 73% Cationic Polyester Sorbtek and 27% spandex

Retailing at $74.00- $79.00, both the capris and tights come in a wide array of bright colors and eye-catching prints.  For more information please visit www.justlive.com.

Have you ever heard of these brands? They are super cool, huh! ♥

Go Green with Envy for RITUALS Cosmetics!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post

Get in the spirit of the Irish this St. Patty’s day and celebrate with all things green! But this year, instead of painting the town (and your face) the shade of the shamrock, take the day for much-needed pampering with our favorite round-up of holiday-inspired bath and body products from RITUALS Cosmetics.

Step into an environment of ultimate relaxation with the Wu Wei calming cream bath. Enriched with soothing White Lotus and Green Tea, skin is left nourished and silky soft, ready to take on the day ahead. Top off your newly refreshed skin with Mei Dao, a rich body cream loaded with caring ingredients, like Yi Yi Ren.

                                     

To symbolize the exciting start of new beginnings, turn to Sakura Spring, a foaming shower oil that transforms into a silky foam on contact. For a more intense wash, try Sakura Scrub, featuring a luxurious combination of organic sugar and softening oils. Both indulgent products are formulated with Cherry Blossom and Rice Milk to revitalize for glowing skin.

                                        

 

HP’s EcoFFICIENT™ Paper: A Shoplet Review

Disclosure: Periodically Stylish Southern Mama reviews new and established office supplies and accessories through the Shoplet Product Review Program. All reviews are honest.

Stylish Southern Mama received two identical trial packs of HP’s new EcoFFICIENT™ Paper from the HP Everyday Papers line, with 50 sheets in each package.

                             

Like standard copy paper, the HP EcoFFICIENT™ paper is 8 1/2″ x 11″ and white. The weight is 16 pounds, whereas most copy/printer paper is about 20 pounds. So 4 pounds lighter is actually quite a lot in comparison.

HP’s packaging blurb touts that the EcoFFICIENT™ paper prints more efficiently. The support for these claims? They can fit up to 125 more sheets in a printer tray for less refilling, takes up less space to store, and weighs less. So it’s easier to carry with you if the need arises. EcoFFICIENT™ is definitely lighter.

There are 50 sheets to each pack, yet it only feels as if there is half of that. The EcoFFICIENT paper is significantly lighter than standard copy paper, yet it’s just as strong. That’s was one of my worries- that the paper would be thinner, therefore easier to tear. It isn’t though, it’s just as durable and strong as the thicker typical paper.

           

The ink didn’t smudge or bleed through the other side, which I liked. The text is just as sharp as with standard copy/print paper. The brightness is the same as well. The only thing that doesn’t quite add up is printing on double sides. The thin based paper is not good for printing on both sides, other than that it’s 10/10! I love it! Lower impact and I can fit more in my printer at a time. LESS refilling!! YAY!

 

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas From Baggallini

 

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I wanted to share a few of my favorite Valentine’s-themed colorways from baggallini’s Spring 2015 Collection. Valentine’s Day is known around the globe as an opportunity to celebrate love.Why not celebrate the love of the most awesome person in YOUR world: you!

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be just for buying that “significant other” something, it’s a day to treat yourself as well. Valentine’s colors can vary from season to season, but they are always a shade of pink, red, purple, and even white.

Apple Red – A Valentine’s Classic! (1) Excursion Sling in Apple – $89.95 (2) Rolling Tote in Apple – $149.95 (3) Avenue Tote in Apple – $99.95

 

Pinks and Purples - (1) The Natalie Satchel in Wisteria – $99.95 (2 and 3) The Kensington Mini in Lilac – $69.95