Bose SoundLink Mini - Bluetooth Wireless Speakers

The Soundlink Mini is one of the best small speakers I have ever come across.
It has all the features I'm looking for in a portable speaker.  Long battery life, deep base, full textural mid ranges, and crisp high range.  It's potent sound packs a whollop and you'll have people looking around to see where all the sound is coming from, never suspecting that it comes from a tiny portable speaker that easily fits in your travel bag!

We brought ours to the beach and were amazed at how well the sound carried even with the wind and sound of the waves crashing and people entertaining themselves nearby.  It was loud enough to dance to and was like having a portable soundtrack for your life.

The bluetooth easily connected with all of our portable music devices, from phones to ipods.  And how fun that we could listen to each other's music while hanging out.  Someone nearby isn't so sure they like you playing such loud music, ask them if they have a request....sure enough they do, and it's on their phone, no problem, just link them in and they're happy as a clam!

The Bose Soundlink Mini charges easily when docked, and holds it's battery life for the better part of 5 hours!  Wow.

Small Space Solutions: Ottoman-Bed

This is the perfect solution for a home that has the occasional extra house guest, but no room for an extra bed.  It's the pull-out ottoman!  It has a nice firm mattress, it's easy to set up, and it's not too big!
Perfect for the grandkids, or a surprise sleep over guest.  Awesome for a condo or small apartment.  Turn your home office into a spare bedroom!

More info here!

Vacation Vault Product Review

The Vacation Vault is a fabulous solution for people on the go.  You can take this handy travel safe with you just about anywhere...the beach, the park, poolside, or camping. Basically, take it with you anywhere that you want to be able to be hands-free without a purse or pockets full of valuables.  You could even secure it in your hotel room if you want to leave valuables there when you're out.

It attaches to a lounge chair, beach umbrella, railing... pretty much to any stationary object.  You assign a combination to open it, place your wallet, keys and electronics inside, close the latch and off you go. The only way someone is going to be able to steal your stuff is if they steal (or vandalize) whatever you've attached it to.

It's not a safe, so it could be damaged, but it's made of sturdy ABS plastic.  If you just want the extra security of knowing that it's not as easy as casually walking off with your stuff the Vacation Vault is a great find!

Personally, I find nothing more annoying than trying to keep an eye on my valuables while playing beach volleyball, so this little gadget is a life saver! And it comes in purple!  And many other colors.

Where do you use your Vacation Vault?

It is available at Amazon and other retailers.

Kindle Fire HD Review

If you're looking for a tablet that has you directly connected to your Amazon reading list, while being able to watch HD video, surf the net and use apps, then your going to like the Kindle Fire HD!

Pros:

• Size. It fits in your hand nicely, and is super portable!  I take it everywhere.
• Sound quality.  This unit has awesome sound, better than more expensive portable devices!
• Storage options: get the biggest size you can afford if you want to watch seasons of your favorite TV shows on Amazon Instant Video.
• Decent battery life.  Holds up nicely, not as great as iPad 3, but pretty decently!
• HDMI output.  Nice feature when you have a flatscreen TV.
• It's great for reading magazines.  Beautiful HD images.
• Video.  Awesome for watching movies, TV shows, and more!
• Customer Service. Amazon has excellent customer service!  Oh my goodness can't say enough about this.

Cons:

• The keyboard entry system has a bit to be desired. 
• You need to download a different OS than Silk in order to run Flash.  Try Dolphin, it rocks!
• It doesn't come with a charger, but you can use any standard mini USB, or you can order one when you buy the unit.
• If you don't want to see ads on your lock screen, you have to pay an extra $15 for "without special offers."

All in all I'm really happy with my Kindle Fire HD.  

Looking for other Tablet options?