Review: Otterbox Defender Series iPad Case

I am in love with my new iPad. It is pretty awesome.

Unfortunately, Kate is also in love with my new iPad. And she is just about as graceful and coordinated as her mom. Which means my iPad was in serious peril.

That is, until I received the Otterbox iPad Defender case.

Here’s what the Otterbox website has to say about the features of the case:
# Three layers of protection
# Complete interaction of the iPad’s functions
# Built-in stand for viewing convenience
# Bottom silicone grip pads keep your iPad in place
# Silicone plugs provide coverage for all ports
# Snap-off access for optional iPad dock

Here’s what I have to say about it:
Getting the iPad in the case wasn’t the easiest thing I’ve ever done in my life. I am sure it’s user failure, but I couldn’t make heads or tails out of the directions. And once I did get the thing in, I realized I should have put the screen protector on before putting the case on. Oops. But once I got it on, I was immediately impressed with the feel of the case. It makes the iPad a little heavier and a little thicker, but it’s very clear that the case will do what it’s designed to do – protect the ridiculously expensive piece of equipment inside of it.

The case, while providing protection and cushioning from the drops that are bound to happen – doesn’t inhibit the iPad’s function at all. It has spaces that line up perfectly with all the iPad’s little buttons and switches, and everything works just as it should.

I also like the removable face plate – you can snap it on and off to cover the iPad’s screen. I don’t use the cover every day, but when I through my iPad in a bag or my purse, I love being able to protect the screen.

Overall, I am very pleased with the Defender Series case. It makes me feel much more comfortable with allowing my kids to use my iPad, which is great because I can’t pick up the thing without Kate saying “Can I play???” (and no, I’m not bitter about that, not one bit), and frankly, it makes me much more comfortable using it myself! At $89.95, it’s not the cheapest case you’re going to find, but after dropping $600+ on the iPad itself, what’s an extra few bucks? It’s more than worth it to keep your iPad safe.

I give the Otterbox Defender Series iPad case two thumbs up!

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The Blair Laundry Project

I wanted to show you how great my Frigidiare Affinity washer & dryer are LIVE er, well, LIVE ON FILM!  So here’s me in my dimly-lit basement laundry room (that really, really, REALLY needs a makeover, Home Depot, Lowe’s, IKEA, I’m LOOKING AT YOU! How many times do I have to ask?? GEEEZ!) showing off some of my favorite features about these two wonder-machines, like the “quick” cycle and the “sanitize” setting, both of which have saved my rear (ha ha) during potty training! Enjoy!  And um, I’ll keep checking my inbox for that Emmy nomination.

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As you know if you have EVER read this blog before, this review is part of my involvement in the Frigidaire Test Drive program through Mom Central, which I am super-proud to be involve in.  Frigidaire gave me a sweet washer & dryer and I’m giving you the facts about ’em!

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Things I Love Thursday: A Modern Eden

I like A Modern Eden
Moi with my A Modern Eden Winston the Owl shirt, which I purchased with my ooooowwwwn mooooney!

This is a review and giveaway (Stay tuned to win!!) that I’m thrilled to do because I LOVE the product and I KNOW the people behind it! The creators of A Modern Eden are the great guys at FORGE, hosts and sponsors of both our May Mom’s party and this upcoming Ultimate Mom’s Night Out July 29th. These are great people making cool stuff!  And it’s (well, I don’t know if they want me to say pretty so I’ll say) aesthetically pleasing as well!   A Modern Eden is a brand alive with cool, beautiful animal characters like Presley the Peacock, seen here in this gee-orgeous poster they sent me for review:

If Presley is a little feminine for you, perhaps you might prefer Webster the Frog:

Or Henry the Lion:

I love the Presley the Peacock poster. This is a great quality poster.  It’s not like the paper-thin glossy ones of Debbie Gibson and New Kids on the Block I had hanging in my bedroom in the 6th grade *ahem*.  The colors are vibrant and all these designs will really turn your kids’ rooms into the most whimsical zoo around.

The next genius thing A Modern Eden has in it’s bag of wares is an APP!  Yes, there’s an app for A Modern Eden!  They offered it free me to review but I ALREADY HAD IT because it’s so cool and it’s only 99 cents!  It’s called “Speak, Piggy” and it’s a great tool to entertain your kiddos and help them learn animal names and sounds at the same time.

Lastly, I did get one other cool thing to review from these guys: A Modern Eden reusable TOTE! I love reusable totes for all my drugstore shopping and this one is a lot cuter and more durable than the ones I get at the grocery. It’s also just the right size for toting around Sophie’s favorite books everywhere we go!  I chose this tree design but they have a really cool apple design here too.

They also have some super-cute animal flashcards featuring all their many animal characters which I will have to get for baby #3 for SURE! Just cause I like to look at them.

These are just the DEBUT products from A Modern Eden! I can’t wait to see what else they’re going to create for this gorgeous line.  How about some rugs and wall decals for baby’s nursery, guys?  🙂

Now the really fun part: one lucky reader will win a poster and tote of their choice from A Modern Eden!  Wheeeee!  Here’s how to enter:

1) Go to A Modern Eden and look around their site.  Leave a comment on this post telling us your fave product.

2) Follow @amoderneden on twitter and @them to say hi!  Then leave us a separate comment letting us know you did.

3) “Like” A Modern Eden’s facebook page and then leave a separate comment letting us know you do.

One winner will be chosen via random.org on Monday, July19th at 5 pm.  Good luck!

So, A Modern Eden is what I LOVE today. To see what other bloggers are diggin’ check out Things I Love Thursday at the Diaper Diaries!

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