Review + #Giveaway: Polaroid Cube + Accessories

Recently I got this amazing opportunity to test out and provide feedback on the newly released awesomeness from Polaroid: A Polaroid Cube Cam! It's the stuff of dreams for anyone who loves making creative, fun videos - and not just for YouTube, but for personal use, too. It's super fun and easy to use, allows you to do the most creative things and is just... so. amazingly. cool! 

Today, I am here to share my opinions about this coolest invention ever, and give one lucky follower a chance to win not only the Cube Cam itself, but 5 custom designed accessories that will make using the Cube 10000x more fun! 

Check out my review, the fantastic video and enter to win! Because I am working towards a goal (getting into Amazon TOP 500), I will ask you to like my Amazon reviews to enter. 

Amazing! This tiny (35mm), cute-looking camera is capable of taking some truly beautiful, high-quality movies and stills.

Featuring a 124° wide-angle lens and 6MP CMOS Sensor for Crisp Images, Polaroid Cube takes amazing quality HD videos (in .mov format only) and high resolution pictures (they turn out crisp, vivid and clear). There are two video rate settings you can select: 720p or 1080p. It comes with a build-in rechargeable battery, capable of recording up to 90 minutes of videos on a single charge. It supports micro SD cards up to 32 GB

It's so small and lightweight, you can strap it to your wrist (using strap mount), mount it on your bike (using bike mount), or clip it to your backpack (using the bumper pendant case). There's quite an impressive collection of really cool custom accessories you can get for your Polaroid Cube, including bumper cases, waterproof cases, tripods, mounts and more. And they're not only useful, but also very hip looking and fashionable.

For something this small, the camera feels surprisingly sturdy and well made. It claims to be shock and water proof, but personally I wouldn't risk it. If you plan on biking or swimming with it, I'd suggest getting a bumper and waterproof case. Just to be on the safe side. Thanks to its size and weight, it's extremely portable. You can take it anywhere you go, strap it to your dog's collar, mount it on your tripod for recording YouTube videos, or stick it to almost anything you want (there's a magnet at the bottom of the cam!). You can be as creative as you wish, the Polaroid Cube will accommodate all your needs. The possibilities are endless!

Best part is, using it is easy-breezy. There's nothing complex about it at all. You double-tap the button to start recording a video, single tap it to take a picture. There is an LED light and buzzer sound indicating what the camera is doing at the moment (red light indicates recording a video, orange indicates charging, green indicates the camera is ON and ready to roll). You can access the videos and pictures by connecting the Polaroid Cube to your computer. It's all very simple and intuitive, even technologically challenged people can do it.

This, in my opinion, is an essential accessory to your Polaroid Cube camera, especially if you plan on using it to film YouTube videos, video logs or just need to keep the camera perfectly still and safe while shooting a movie.

The mount is designed for Polaroid POLC3 Cube and it allows you to attach your cam to just about any tripod of choice. It's made with highest quality materials (plastic and rubber) and it won't rust over even if it gets wet. It's a well made, sturdy accessory, designed for quick and easy mounting.

You detach the cube by pulling lightly on the tap (I wouldn't pull the releasing tap too hard for the fear of it snapping off). It fits the cube cam perfectly snug and seems to secure it in place well. The camera stays secured even when shaken and lightly bumped. It's compatible with the waterproof case, so you can use it for underwater shooting.

Designed for Polaroid POLC3 Cube, this bicycle mount fits on any 1" thick handlebar. It's well made and really easy to install, providing a sturdy grip on the camera and securing the Cube in place firmly.

Attaching the camera to your bike is quick and easy, you just basically clip it on. It fits snug on the bar and is secured enough for normal, around-the-neighborhood biking, but I wouldn't trust it to keep the camera safe during mountain biking, or off-the-road biking. And not only because there's a possibility of it falling off, but also because the video would be simply too shaky. Detaching is easy in theory- you just press two buttons on the side and slide the camera out -but in practice it can take some wiggling to get the Cube out. Still, it doesn't require any assembling and screwing, so it's a relatively fast and painless process every time.

I like the fact that you can easily set the recording angle. You can rotate the camera left and right and twist it 360 degrees, and it's easy to adjust the angle while biking.

I wish it was a bit more secure for more bumpy biking (for instance, the exciting down-the-hill kind), but overall this is a nice accessory that I will be using while biking around the park, or local scenic routes.

This Polaroid POLC3ST Strap Mount is designed for Polaroid Cube camera and it comes with 2 nylon straps (different lengths). You can strap the mounted camera to virtually anything, provided it's not something too thick for the strap to embrace.

The mount rotates 360 degrees, so you can adjust the recording angle however you like. It's sturdy and you can pull the straps tight enough to securely carry the camera around (for example, on your wrist) and not having to worry about the camera detaching itself and getting damaged. It fits the waterproof housing so you can even swim with it.

We tested it by strapping it onto our dog and letting him run around the apartment. It worked perfectly fine, I doubt he even realized he was carrying around a camera (the Cube cam is tiny and light weight).

It's a good product with many applications. I have no complaints so far.

Excellent product! Hands down, one of the best accessories you could get for your Polaroid POLC3 Cube camera. It comes with a suction cup mount that you can "stick" onto flat, smooth surfaces. It also works with all the other mounts for the Cube cam, so you can easily attach the camera to your wrist using the strap mount, or clip it onto a rail on your boat and film some water activities. The possibilities are endless.

The case fits the Cube cam perfectly and keeps it completely waterproof. You can even go snorkeling with it (up to 10m). I do think it's worth spending some extra money to purchase the other mounts as well, as the Cube takes really amazing videos and pictures, and the waterproof casing doesn't steam up.

You can adjust the angle by turning the platform left or right, but it's only the bottom case that rotates. The top can not be turned, so you have to make sure to adjust the angle before securing the mount in place. The suction cup, when placed on a clean and smooth surface, locks in place strong and stays secured. I did not have any issues with it loosening its grip at all.

This is a nice little case for your Polaroid POLC3 Cube cam, but its functionality is limited to carrying it around (clipped onto a backpack, belt or purse) and making sure it doesn't get damaged from bumps, because it covers the LED light indicating when the camera is on/off/recording and muffles the buzzing sound, so it's hard to tell whether the camera is turned on and recording. You will also need to take the casing off to connect the Cube to your computer or to charge it.

The rubber seems very durable and offers a nice buffer, I'm pretty sure it will keep my Polaroid Cam safe and sound. I just wish it came in a variety of designs and colors that would make it more fashionable and hip, because the simple one-color design is just... very plain.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary review sample from the manufacturer of this product.This did not affect my opinion in any way.

Watch the video:

Giveaway:

RULES:
1 winner will get the Polaroid Cube Cam + Set of 5 Accessories reviewed in this post (all brand new)
Open to: International

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Elizabeth Arden Summer Escape Limited Collection | The Look

The Elizabeth Arden Summer Escape Limited Collection is beautiful, elegant and chic. It brings to mind sandy beaches, deep ocean tides and soft summer breezes. You instantly feel like putting your cute little lady sailor's outfit on and throwing a glam party on your yacht. Or, if - like me - you don't actually own a yacht, to at least enjoy a long, romantic walk on the beach, soaking up the last rays of the evening sun. 

The colors are soft, yet very vivid, and the contrast between the shimmering beige/pink and the rich deep ocean blue, is simply striking. Add to that the gorgeous warm glow of the bronzer, the popping blue of the mascara and the radiant eyeliner, and you'll be turning heads wherever you go. 

I love the subtle, yet very charming and seductive look you can create with this fabulous collection. The gloss sticks are surprisingly soft and pigmented, and they keep your lips moist and delicious looking. The mascara really makes your eyes pop, with both the lovely blue color and the way it visually lengthens your eyelashes. And the bronzer gives you a hot, shimmery glow that brings to mind hot sandy beaches and topical destinations. 

The Elizabeth Arden Summer Escape Color Collection for 2014 includes the following:

• Pure Finish Summer Escape Bronzing Powder
• Pure Finish Cool Radiance Highlighter (not pictured)
• Beautiful Color Gloss Stick
• Beautiful Color Lash Enhancing Mascara
• Beautiful Color Define and Highlight Eyeliner Duo
• Pure Finish Cream Eye Shadow
• Beautiful Color High Gloss Nail Lacquer (not pictured)

Throwback Thursday: My Baby Pictures a.k.a Communistic Baby

These are just a couple of photos I happen to have scanned and stored on my computer, but trust me, there's more and I am going to dig them all up for you as soon as I arrive in Poland at the end of this year :) 

I joke when I say "communistic baby", of course. Kind of. Well, I was born in 1985 and during that time period Poland was a communistic country, but I don't actually remember much of it all. I have heard stories from my mom and grandma, and if that's something you'd be interested in, I'd be more than happy to tell you. One day. 

Today, let's just laugh at that chubby little kid with her Dumbo-the-Elephant ears (a lovely feature of mine that caused lots of insecurities in the years to follow). Isn't she adorable? 

Baby Victoria's 5th Month Update | Milestones!

So this post is a bit overdue, since Victoria's 5th month mark was on July 17th, but I am sure you all understand how busy life can get with a baby! And a dog! And a husband who is currently in the *study-or-die* mode, as he is getting ready for his dental boards exam that is in under a week from now (I mean, he's at home, but we don't even see him at all - he studies from 9am to 3 am!).

But I digress.

Victoria is growing so fast! It feels like just a week ago she was this tiny little bean who didn't know (nor care) what was going on around her. And now? She is all over everything. Suddenly, everything is a great chew toy - from her own adorable toes, to mommy's cellphone. Food is looking more and more interesting, especially if you can reach that colorful plate and knock it to the floor! She's drooling at a rate that makes me worried she'll get dehydrated. She's screaming at the dog, screaming at the toys, laughing at FRIENDS on TV.. It's just been an awfully eventful month and watching her reach milestone after milestone was more than rewarding and breathtaking experience. It was also delightfully entertaining, moving and unforgettable! 

Eating:

• She's eating anywhere from 4-5oz of formula (sadly, my milk has dried up completely in this past month, so we're doing exclusively formula now. She got 4,5 months of breast milk, and even though I was really hoping to keep it up till she was at least 6 months old, it just didn't work out. She's doing great on the formula, though, and did not have any problems switching or getting used to it.) 
• We have started her on rice cereal. She is eating 2 spoons with almost every bottle throughout the day, and 4 spoons of it with her last evening feeding, which really helps her sleep through most of the night. 
• We have started her on some solid foods, too. So far, she has tried carrot, apple and sweet potato. Sweet potato seems to be her favorite. She did not particularly like the Gerber Baby's First Food Apple, though she does love the REAL thing, so I sometimes puree some for her. 
• She eats every 4-5 hours now (just a month ago it was 3-4 h). 
• Only one night-time feeding, and only 4 oz of milk. Usually around 3:00-4:00 am.

Sleeping:

• She used to go to sleep around 8:00-9:00 pm, now she insists on doing that earlier with every day. I honestly don't know what's the deal here, but yesterday she went to bed at 6:30 pm. This seems to be her new routine.
• She sleeps from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am, with one night-time feeding which she usually half-sleeps through. 
• Ever since her acid reflux problem went away, she sleeps much better.
• She can't seem to make up her mind about being swaddled these days - she will do everything (and I mean EVERYTHING, the bed is shaking when she's kicking around in it) to break out of the swaddle, but she literally can't / won't fall asleep without it. So every time when she breaks out, I need to get up, swaddle her again, give her the pacifier and then go back to bed. This can happen anywhere from 5-10 times in a raw. Night-time workout anyone?
• Naps. What naps? She barely sleeps during day time anymore. It's like there's just SO MUCH TO DO and SEE! She naps for about 30 minutes in the morning 45 minutes around 1 pm, and 30 minutes in the afternoon (and that's if I'm lucky!).

Overall health:

• At her last check-up she was 16 pounds 5 oz and 21.3 inch long.
• Acid reflux is completely gone! Yay!
• No diaper rash, skin problems or any other health issues. 

Milestones:

• Tried solid foods & rice cereal.
• Laughed continuously for 3 minutes.
• Started grabbing at toys and, well, anything else within her reach. She is finally interacting with the excer-saucer toys. She is able to hold her chew toys and bring them up to her mouth all on her own, and she doesn't poke her eye with the teething giraffe anymore. 
• Managed to put her foot in her mouth (hey, it's quite an achievement!).
• Started noticing the dog. Before she would ignore him completely, now she's squeeling when she sees him and when he comes around to check on her (and he does that all the time). 
• Was able to roll over from back to side and from belly to side. But only a couple of times, for the most part she is still like beetle on her back. 
• She discovered her tongue and all the weird stuff you can do with it. 
• She is now able to sit in her washPOD all by herself without any support.

What else is new?

• She doesn't fall asleep in the stroller when we're taking a walk anymore. Instead, she looks around. Trees are her new thing, she is amazed by the them. 
• She had a picnic with her grandparents at Niagara Falls, and loved the trees there, too.
• She enjoys me reading to her playing cartoons on Amazon Vine. I try not to let her watch cartoons too much (maybe 15 minutes a day?), but it's definitely a fun time for her. 

Reading to your baby

We started reading to Victoria when she was still in my womb. We made our little story time a daily habit. I talked to her a lot when she was still in my belly, so she knew the sound of my voice well, but I also decided it was important for her to hear Jaesung (my husband) speak, and so every day I would bring a book, place it firmly in his hands and demand our story time. As busy as he always is with all the dental school stuff, I could tell he enjoyed it a lot, too, even though he probably wouldn't admit it. Eventually, he'd pick a book and "initiate" the story time himself. I believe it made him feel needed, and I think it was an important bonding experience. But hey, we're here to talk about reading to babies, not about my husband, right? :) 

After Victoria was born, we continued on with our little tradition. Of course, it wasn't easy at first (OK, more like impossible!). She was too small, too fragile and too.. well, uninterested, at the beginning. We would still try to read to her, but not as much as before. It wasn't until she was about 3 months old when we picked it up again, and she seems to love it now. 

It is truly amazing to sit there and watch my husband read to Victoria. This tiny little creature sitting in her dad's lap, staring at the colorful pictures with interest and amazement. I love those little moments! I love reading to her myself, observing her reactions as I point to different pictures, seeing her turn her head occasionally towards the sound of my voice and then turning her attention back to the book. It's such an amazing experience. 

Being a book blogger of 5 years and an avid reader, it is very important to me that my daughter grows up to be a reader herself. Lucky for me, I have plenty of books I can read to her (books aren't cheap, I think we all know that). Being able to receive free children's books is a huge privilege and I'm grateful for each and every single one of them. 

If you wonder about benefits of reading to your baby, or when is a good time to start, here's some information & tips I hope you'll find helpful:

• Reading to your baby is an important form of stimulation and it's never too early to start. Fetuses recognize their mother's voice from the womb. Newborn babies love hearing your voice. Reading to your toddler will help develop listening skills, stimulate interest in sounds, build memory, vocabulary, and give your child information about the surrounding world. 
• It's also a phenomenal bonding time and a great opportunity to cuddle and enjoy something together. Turn it into a daily routine, and your child will eventually start demanding story time himself. 
• Reading introduces your baby to new concepts and teaches them about colors, shapes, numbers and ideas in a fun way. 
• Board books and picture books with bold, colorful illustrations are sure to spark your baby's interest and help him focus on the book. He won't understand the story just yet, but he'll enjoy listening to your voice. Try reading to him using different, silly voices to make it more fun. Repetition is your friend - it will help familiarize your child with different words and, eventually, help improve his language skills. 
• It's scientifically proven that children that are read to at an early age, are smarter. They learn to read earlier and more easily, and their communication and learning skills develop at a much younger age. Remember, your baby is like a sponge, the habits he'll learn at a very young age will likely stay with him forever. 
• Cuddling with mommy + listening to mommy's voice + seeing colorful pictures = positive experience that will solidify your child's love for books. 

Growing Up with a Pet | Victoria and Wilson

You don't need to read through thousands of child psychology or baby development textbooks to know that children love animals. The bond that is formed between the baby and the family pet - whether it's a dog, a cat, a hamster or a bird - is proven to be a big factor in child's emotional development. Being around an animal is beneficial in many ways. 

A pet is a great friend and loyal companion. Most pets have it in their nature to look after babies, though some breeds will be better for your baby than others. For a list of suggested breeds, please visit: Just Dog Breeds

Research has shown that children living with pets are less likely to develop certain allergies, as well as asthma and eczema. Their immunity is boosted through regular interactions with the pet, and so they develop a natural immunity to all sorts of yucky stuff, including seasonal colds and many types of bacteria. 

Regular exercise and, therefore, a more healthy life style, is yet another "side-effect" of owning a pet, particularly a dog. As soon as your baby learns how to crawl, they will start chasing the dog around the apartment, trying to pull its tail or grab a fistful of that fluffy fur. Then comes actual running after the dog, playing with the ball or frisbee, jogging around the neighborhood or even just playing in the backyard. 

Caring for a pet helps teach them become more responsible and improves their nurturing skills. They are more empathic and more caring. Being able to care for another creature, boosts their confidence and gives them a sense of accomplishment. 

Additionally, the relationship between children and their pets offers a special kind of comfort, one that not even parents can provide. According to studies, children with pets are more mature, have higher self-esteem, better social skills, and have virtually no trouble forming and maintaining peer connections. In other words, your child is happier with a little furry friend around. 

Growing up, I always had at least one pet keeping me company. When I was only 5, my parents brought home an adorable, loving dachshund. We named her Sandra. I still remember running around the apartment with that little monkey-dog, cuddling together on the couch while watching Disney movies (well, at least I was watching, I don't know what kept Sandra sitting so still and fascinated), and going for long walks into the woods area surrounding our home. These are some wonderful memories and I will always cherish them. 

Sandra was my first pet, but far from the last one. After she was gone, we had two German Shepherds, two mixed breeds, a parrot, two hamsters and a fish-tank full of, well, fish. One time, my dad brought home a wounded hedgehog, and we took care of that poor guy, too, until he was healthy enough to be released into the "wild". I grew up surrounded by animals, learning how to take care of them and feeling their unconditional love. Nothing could ever replace their presence in my life, no games, no movies, no books, not even my friends. 

When I found out that I was pregnant, I knew I wanted the same kind of wonderful experience for my baby. Luckily, we already had a wonderful pet, a loving Sheltie boy named Wilson. Now, Wilson is a real sweetheart. He is smart, caring, gentle, and - as weird as this may sound - very considerate. And so I knew from the get-go that he would be a wonderful big brother to our baby girl. And of course, he is. Moreover, he's even better with her than I could have ever hoped for.

Of course, I was a bit worried about the logistics of it all. With my husband in dental school and my parents all the way across the ocean, I am virtually all by myself here. A toddler to take care of seems like enough work, especially in the first few months when you're barely getting any sleep and constantly smell like baby vomit. Or poop. Or both. 

I worried about taking the dog for a walk with a newborn baby. I worried about finding the time to feed him. I worried he may accidentally do something to hurt her (he is a hugger, he likes forcing his furry butt on your lap). I worried about many things... And sure, it's not exactly a walk in the park and it takes some serious planning and trouble-shooting, but it is definitely do-able. Not to mention rewarding. Just seeing these two together makes all the running around, not getting any sleep or rest and often-times, not eating so these two can eat WORTHWHILE. 

I get up in the morning, I feed the little one, change her diaper, change her clothes and then I make myself a cup coffee. I no longer have the privilege of enjoying it on the porch in the morning sun. Instead, I pour it into my go-mug, I leash the dog, get the baby settled in her stroller, and off we go. Two rounds around the neighborhood and one coffee later, we are back home. Baby is napping, why, wouldn't that be a perfect time to sit down and read a bit? Nope, I quickly take a shower to wash the morning vomit off and then I prepare the meal for Wilson. Baby wakes up, it's playtime. Then it's feeding time again, and we go for another walk. If I'm lucky, I had the time to grab a snack for myself to enjoy, if not - oh, well! I'll just wait till hubby gets home (around 6 p.m.). Sure, it takes some sacrifices. Sure, it's not easy. Is it worth it though? Totally. 

Victoria is only 4 months old and I can already tell how much she adores Wilson. And vice versa. She cries a bit and he is the first one to run to check on her. He comes around and she is grinning like the happiest kid in the world. I tell him "say hi to Victoria" and he sticks his cold nose into her cheek and licks her chin a bit, and she is so delighted, she squees out loud. They are so good for each other and I am so happy to see them growing up together. After all, Wilson is still just a baby himself, he's only 2 years old this July. 

I really can't wait to see them playing together when she's old enough to walk. I can't wait to witness more of their adorable little moments and I can only hope to have the camera handy when they happen. I know he'll be a good friend, a good older brother to Victoria. And I know she'll love and care for him. What more could I hope for?

Garlic Butter with Dill | Recipe

We decided to try and make our very first Garlic Butter with Dill today and it turned out beyond wonderful! It's such a simple and quick recipe, and the butter can be used for many different meals - from garlic bread toasts to steak! I highly recommend trying it out - you will be in food heaven! 

Ingredients: 

2 sticks of butter, softened

2 tablespoons minced garlic (fresh, not the jar kind)

2 tablespoons chopped up dill

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Directions:

1) In a bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, and dill. Season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Mix until smooth.

2) Wrap the garlic butter in a foil wrap and roll to shape it. Refrigerate until hardened (about 30-40 minutes).

Use within 3 days or freeze for up to 2 weeks.

Serving idea:

Steak strips with garlic butter, young potatoes and salad. Yum!

Baby Photography | Excersaucer Fun